Scans and X-rays
What Does Unremarkable Mean on a Scan Report?
Unremarkable · say it: un-ree-MAR-kuh-bulAlso written: no significant abnormality, within normal limits (imaging)
Short answer
On a scan report, unremarkable means the radiologist saw nothing that needed comment in that part of the body.
What it means
Unremarkable is one of the most common words on imaging reports. It means the radiologist looked at a body part or organ and did not see anything that stood out as worth describing.
Radiologists often go through the body part by part. When an organ looks as expected for that type of scan, they may simply write "unremarkable" next to it instead of describing it in detail.
It is a reassuring word for that specific area on that specific scan, but it only covers what that type of scan is able to show.
Where you may see it
- X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound reports
- The "Findings" section, often next to a list of organs
- Sometimes in the "Impression" summary, such as "Otherwise unremarkable study"
📄 How it looks on a report
Liver: Unremarkable.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean every possible problem has been ruled out. Some conditions do not show up on certain scans.
- It does not mean the radiologist skipped that area. It usually means they looked and found nothing worth describing.
- It does not explain your symptoms either way. Your doctor puts the scan together with your history and examination.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Unremarkable”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Unremarkable”
Paste or upload the report and every line of it is explained, with personal details removed first.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Unremarkable” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- RadiologyInfo.org ↗
Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology
Seeing this word on your own report? Get every line of it explained, free.
Explain my report🧩 Related words
🔎 Look up another word
More words: scans and x-rays
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.