A radiofrequency coil configuration for imaging the human vertebral column at 7Â T

► Transmission of RF energy to image the spine is most efficient with an anterior rather than posterior coil at 7 T. ► A quadrature transmit, eight-element receive coil enables imaging of the vertebral column to be acquired from volunteers in 10-15 min. ► Small dislocations in the disk are easily detected at high-field using this RF geometry.