An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging is described having a casing with an inner bore which in some embodiments is substantially frustoconical shape for receiving a subject. The apparatus contains devices disposed in the casing to create a uniform field within an inner bore. The apparatus employs dual access since the inner bore has a first and second end at the outer edge of the casing for which the part of the subject's body would travel so as to be imaged. Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus provides one or more recesses for inserting at least one gradient coils into position about an inner bore. The MRI system induces resonance in selected dipoles in an examination region created along an inner bore of a casing housing in a magnetic resonance imaging system such that the selected dipoles generate magnetic resonance signals to create an image representation of the part of the subject's body.