Receiving surface coil for nuclear magnetic resonance measurements

A receiving surface coil for detecting nuclear magnetic resonance signals from a patient, the receiving surface coil comprising:

• a housing having a central part and at least two parts extending from the central part in opposite directions, wherein an opening is defined in the central part of the housing and the central part is configured to bend around the opening to form a shape that fits a patient anatomy to be examined;
• a set of RF loop elements housed in the central part of the housing, wherein the set of RF loop elements comprises at least a central loop element and more than two other loop elements which are arranged to increase central image duality with the central loop element running around the opening and the other loop elements arranged around and adjacent to the opening.