Abstract: An MR coil array includes a plurality of telescopically arranged coil units, spanning the length of an extremity (e.g. a leg). The coil in each unit encircles the extremity, providing good SNR from all sides and for deep structures as well. The tapered shape of the array conforms generally to the patient anatomy, minimizing sensing distances, further enhancing SNR. A low ratio between the volume imaged and the aggregate coil conductor length further contributes to high SNR. A multiplicity of tuning capacitors makes the array relatively insensitive to detuning by differently-sized patients. Adjoining coils can be oriented to produce perpendicular magnetic fields, reducing coupling therebetween. An apparatus employing two such coil arrays allows imaging of two extremities at once.