A radio frequency coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a birdcage section having a plurality of parallel spaced apart conductors and one or more cross or end conductors aligned generally transverse to the spaced apart conductors, and a TEM section having a plurality of parallel spaced apart conductors and a radio frequency screen. The birdcage section and the TEM section resonate at a birdcage resonant frequency and a TEM resonant frequency, respectively. The birdcage section and the TEM section are relatively disposed with the parallel spaced apart conductors of each section aligned and define a subject receiving region.