Ultrasound Terminology Flashcards
(19 cards)
Sonographic Appearance
A language common to Sonographers and Radiologists globally (used to describe what a body structure looks like using ultrasound)
Pulse-Echo Technique
the echo of the ultrasonic waves reflects back to the transducer after hitting a structure and appears as dots on the screen in various gray-scale intensities indicating signal strength
Echogenicity
the ability of a structure to reflect ultrasonic waves
Hyperechoic
echoes that appear brighter than those from adjacent structures
Echogenic
echoes that appear brighter than those from adjacent structures
Hyperechoic, aka
Echogenic, aka
Hypoechoic, aka
Echopenic, aka
Hypoechoic
echoes that appear less bright than those from adjacent structures
Echopenic
echoes that appear less bright than those from adjacent structures
Isoechoic
structures that appear to have the same relative echo density as adjacent structures
Anechoic
the appearance of no echoes from a given structure
Homogeneous
Echo pattern that is of uniform intensity, resulting in the appearance of a smooth texture
Heterogeneous
Echo pattern that is of uneven intensities, resulting in the appearance of a rough texture.
Attenuation
Loss of ultrasonic wave energy as it travels through a structure, resulting in a lack of echoes (complete or partial absorption of the energy)
Posterior shadowing
A dark area behind a structure caused by failure of ultrasonic waves to penetrate through (high attenuation)
Posterior enhancement
A bright area behind a structure which is easily penetrated by ultrasonic waves
Interface
The visible boundary between two structures, usually an echogenic line
Artifacts
Attenuation that does not have a corresponding anatomic tissue structure
Valsalva
A breathing technique wherein the patient “bears down,” or forcibly exhales whilst shutting the epiglottis, nose, and mouth so that no air escapes while the pressure is increased in the thorax
