Sonographic Descriptive Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering the common sonographic descriptive terms listed in the lecture notes.

Anechoic

Without internal echoes; appears black on the sonographic image, typical of fluid-filled structures and causes posterior acoustic enhancement.

Hypoechoic

Having few echoes; appears dark but not completely black. Describes tissue that is less echogenic than an adjacent structure.

Hyperechoic

Having many echoes; appears bright or gray and may cast posterior shadowing. Describes tissue that is more echogenic than an adjacent structure.

Echogenic

Capable of producing echoes; appears bright or gray on the image. A comparative term for structures that reflect sound.

Isoechoic

Having the same echogenicity as surrounding tissue; a comparative descriptor indicating similar brightness on the image.

Complex (mass)

A structure displaying mixed echogenicities, containing both fluid and solid components.

Homogeneous

Of uniform composition; a smooth structure with consistent echogenicity throughout.

Heterogeneous

Of differing composition; a patchy structure with inconsistent or varied echogenicity.

Shadowing

Failure of the sound beam to pass through an object, resulting in a dark band posterior to a highly attenuating structure such as a gallstone or bone.

Acoustic Enhancement

Increased brightness seen distal to a weakly attenuating reflector, typically posterior to fluid-filled structures like cysts or the urinary bladder.