Key Terms: Introduction to Scanning

Question 1

Plane perpendicular to the long axis of the body; axial view

Answer 1

Transverse Plane

Question 2

Toward the head

Answer 2

Cephalic

Question 3

The prudent use of ultrasound to limit patient exposure; as low as reasonably achievable

Answer 3

ALARA

Question 4

Artifact resulting from reduced echo amplitude or echo drop off posterior to a structure that attenuates the sound beam

Answer 4

Acoustic shadows

Question 5

Anechoic structure, with well defined posterior wall, and acoustical enhancement

Answer 5

Cyst

Question 6

The point at which the sound beam is the narrowest and the image resolution is best

Answer 6

Focal zone

Question 7

Echo free appearance on ultrasound

Answer 7

Anechoic

Question 8

New growth of tissue may be benign or malignant

Answer 8

Neoplasm

Question 9

Older term used to describe a structure that is anechoic

Answer 9

Sonolucent

Question 10

Used to describe a mass that is composed of tissue and fluid

Answer 10

Complex mass

Question 11

On or toward the side

Answer 11

Lateral

Question 12

An artifact that demonstrates increased echo amplitude posterior to a structure that does not impede sound transmission

Answer 12

Acoustical enhancement

Question 13

Situated toward the surface

Answer 13

Superficial

Question 14

Two or more cursors that can be moved to calculate distance or size

Answer 14

Calipers

Question 15

Decrease in the intensity of the sound beam as it passes through a structure

Answer 15

Attenuation

Question 16

Internal, situated away from surface

Answer 16

Deep

Question 17

Few echoes

Answer 17

Echopenic

Question 18

Situated closest to the point of origin

Answer 18

Proximal

Question 19

Scale of achromatic colors having multiple shades from black to white

Answer 19

Gray scale

Question 20

Lying down on the left side rotated toward back approximately 45 degrees

Answer 20

Left posterior oblique

Question 21

Tissue composing an organ

Answer 21

Pleural

Question 22

Term used to describe a mass that is composed of tissue

Answer 22

Solid

Question 23

Lying down

Answer 23

Decubitus

Question 24

Reflections on the ultrasound image that are not real or obscure the desired object

Answer 24

Shadowing

Question 25

Affecting or situated on the opposite side

Answer 25

Contralateral

Question 26

Aka acoustic or posterior enhancement

Answer 26

Through transmission

Question 27

Degenerative or death of tissues

Answer 27

Necrotic

Question 28

The sonographic appearance of soft tissue structures within the body

Answer 28

Echo texture

Question 29

Lying on the right side of the body

Answer 29

Right lateral decubitus

Question 30

Lying down on the ride side rotating approximately 45 degrees toward the front

Answer 30

Right inferior oblique

Question 31

Structure that is able to produce echoes

Answer 31

Echogenic

Question 32

Abnormal destructive cells that divide and spread to other parts of the body (cancer)

Answer 32

Malignant

Question 33

Substance used to reduce air between the transducer and the skin to allow sound waves to travel in the body

Answer 33

Coupling agent

Question 34

Plane that divides the body lengthwise in to right and left sides

Answer 34

Sagittal plane

Question 35

Pertains to the body as a whole

Answer 35

Systemic

Question 36

Boundary definitions between 2 structures

Answer 36

Interface

Question 37

Lying down on the right side rotated toward back approximately 45 degrees

Answer 37

Right posterior oblique

Question 38

At right angles; perpendicular

Answer 38

Orthogonal

Question 39

The distance the sound beam travels from the transducer in the body; adjusted by sonographer

Answer 39

Depth

Question 40

Pertains to length-lengthwise

Answer 40

Longitudinal plane

Question 41

Lying toward the midline of the body

Answer 41

///

Question 42

Same echogenicity as surrounding tissues

Answer 42

Isoechoic

Question 43

Toward the midline of body

Answer 43

Medial

Question 44

Irregular echo pattern; usually used to describe parenchymal changes

Answer 44

Heterogenous

Question 45

Lying down of the left side approximately 45 degrees toward the front

Answer 45

Left anterior oblique

Question 46

Directed towards the front

Answer 46

Anterior

Question 47

Situated on the same side

Answer 47

Ipsilateral

Question 48

Non cancerous; does not spread throughout the body

Answer 48

Benign

Question 49

Toward the head

Answer 49

Superior

Question 50

Toward the feet

Answer 50

Caudal

Question 51

Situated or directed toward the back

Answer 51

Posterior

Question 52

Fluid structure that does not meet the criteria to be a true cyst

Answer 52

Cystic

Question 53

Laying flat on the ventral side

Answer 53

Prone

Question 54

Smooth or uniform echo pattern

Answer 54

Homogenous

Question 55

Echoes are not as bright as surrounding tissues

Answer 55

Hypoechoic

Question 56

Lying on the back

Answer 56

Supine

Question 57

Lying on the left side of body

Answer 57

Left lateral decubitus

Question 58

Resistance that material provides to the passage of sound waves

Answer 58

Impedance

Question 59

Imaging parallel to the long axis of the body and perpendicular to scanning plane (anterior posterior)

Answer 59

Coronal plane

Question 60

Echoes are brighter than surrounding tissues

Answer 60

Hyperechoic