Terminology and Image Orientation

Question 1

What does ‘anterior’ refer to in directional terminology?

Answer 1

Toward the front, a structure in front of another structure

A.k.a. ventral.

Question 2

What does ‘posterior’ refer to in directional terminology?

Answer 2

Toward the back, a structure behind another structure

A.k.a. dorsal.

Question 3

What does ‘superior’ mean in directional terminology?

Answer 3

Above or directed upward, toward the head, a structure higher than another structure

A.k.a. cranial, cephalad.

Question 4

Define ‘inferior’ in directional terminology.

Answer 4

Below or directed downward, toward the feet, a structure lower than another structure

A.k.a. caudal.

Question 5

What does ‘medial’ indicate in anatomical terms?

Answer 5

At, on or toward the midline of the body

A.k.a. mesial.

Question 6

What is the meaning of ‘lateral’?

Answer 6

At, on or toward the side, to the right or left of the middle or the midline of the body.

Question 7

What does ‘ipsilateral’ refer to?

Answer 7

On or affecting the same side.

Question 8

Define ‘contralateral’.

Answer 8

On or affecting the opposite side.

Question 9

What does ‘proximal’ mean?

Answer 9

Closest to the point of origin or attachment.

Question 10

What is the definition of ‘distal’?

Answer 10

Farthest from the point of origin or attachment.

Question 11

What does ‘superficial’ refer to?

Answer 11

On or toward the surface, external.

Question 12

Define ‘deep’ in anatomical terms.

Answer 12

Away from the surface, internal.

Question 13

What is the transverse plane?

Answer 13

A.k.a. axial; travels horizontally through the body, dividing it into superior and inferior segments.

Question 14

What does the sagittal plane do?

Answer 14

A.k.a. longitudinal; travels vertically through the body, dividing it into right and left segments.

Question 15

Define the coronal plane.

Answer 15

Divides the body into anterior and posterior segments; travels vertically through the body.

Question 16

What is the anatomic position?

Answer 16

Standing erect, feet together, arms down by sides, palms facing forward.

Question 17

List the 9 abdominal regions.

Answer 17

• Right Hypochondrium
• Epigastrium
• Left Hypochondrium
• Right Lumbar
• Umbilical
• Left Lumbar
• Right Iliac
• Hypogastrium
• Left Iliac

Question 18

What are the 4 abdominal quadrants?

Answer 18

• Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
• Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
• Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
• Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Question 19

What does the midclavicular line signify?

Answer 19

Divides each clavicle at its median.

Question 20

What is the transpyloric plane?

Answer 20

Level of the first lumbar vertebra.

Question 21

Define the subcostal plane.

Answer 21

Level of the third lumbar vertebra.

Question 22

What is the transtubercular plane?

Answer 22

Level of the surface of the iliac crest.

Question 23

What does the midaxillary plane do?

Answer 23

Divides the body into equal anterior and posterior halves.

Question 24

Where is the liver located?

Answer 24

Lies in the right hypochondrium and portion in epigastrium under the ribs.

Question 25

What is the location of the gallbladder?

Answer 25

Right hypochondrium; fundus lies opposite the tip of the 9th costal cartilage.

Question 26

Where is the pancreas located?

Answer 26

Epigastrium; lies across the transpyloric plane.

Question 27

What does 'anechoic' mean?

Answer 27

Without internal echoes; little or no echoes.

Question 28

Define 'echogenic'.

Answer 28

With internal echoes; structure that produces echoes. (White)

Question 29

What is 'hypoechoic'?

Answer 29

Structure with few echoes within; appears as a low level grey.

Question 30

Define 'hyperechoic'.

Answer 30

Structure with high echoes within; appears as a high level grey.

Question 31

What does 'isoechoic' refer to?

Answer 31

Usually a comparison term. Structure with same or similar echogenicity as surrounding structures.

Question 32

What is a 'complex' structure in ultrasound?

Answer 32

Structure that has both fluid filled (anechoic) and solid (echogenic) areas.

Question 33

What does 'homogenous' refer to in internal architecture?

Answer 33

Uniform composition and texture; structure with same echoes throughout.

Question 34

Define 'heterogenous'.

Answer 34

Internal Architexture. Not uniform in composition or texture; structure with different echoes throughout.

Question 35

What is 'through transmission'?

Answer 35

Refers to the passage of sound through a structure.

Question 36

What does increased through transmission indicate?

Answer 36

A.k.a enhancement; sound travels through an anechoic (black) structure and is not attenuated.

Question 37

Define decreased through transmission.

Answer 37

A.k.a. shadowing; sound is attenuated by a solid or calcified structure.

Question 38

What are the ultrasound criteria for mass characterization?

Answer 38

* Borders * Acoustic characteristics * Texture * Internal architecture * Through Transmission

Question 39

What does the acronym SALT stand for in imaging principles?

Answer 39

* Size * Shape * Acoustic Characteristics * Location * Transonicity

Question 40

What is the purpose of the gain knob on an ultrasound machine?

Answer 40

The amplification of ultrasound signals your transducer records.

Question 41

What does the depth knob adjust?

Answer 41

The distance of the field of view.

Question 42

Define the term 'zoom' in ultrasound imaging.

Answer 42

Allows you to select an area of interest within the image and zoom in.

Question 43

What does the focus knob do?

Answer 43

Allows you to adjust the level of the focus of the ultrasound beam onto different structures.

Question 44

What is the function of color doppler in ultrasound?

Answer 44

Allows you to see the movement of blood with blue and red spectral.

Question 45

What is the purpose of pulse doppler?

Answer 45

Allows you to measure the velocity of blood flow at a single point.

Question 46

What does TGC stand for in ultrasound machine operation?

Answer 46

Time Gain Compensation; allows you to select the brightness or darkness of an ultrasound image at different levels.