A microstrip-based RF coil for use in an MRI apparatus constructed to perform human head and extremity imaging according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a coil former defined by an inner core member and a shield support that surrounds the inner core member. An outer surface of the shield support supports a conductive segmented shield and a plurality of conductive strip lines are disposed on an inner surface of the inner core module and extend parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof. According to one aspect of the present invention, all of the strip lines are not homogenous so as to introduce asymmetry into the coil design.