Sonography Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a sonography lecture.

Ultrasound

A wave with a frequency that exceeds the upper limits of human hearing, greater than 20,000 hertz or 20 kilohertz.

Audible Sound

Frequency between 20 and 20,000 hertz, what humans can hear.

Transducer

The device that emits a sound wave to create echoes and interprets them as gray dots on the screen to form an image.

Professional Standards

Always introduce yourself to the patient, address them appropriately, and explain the procedure to make them feel comfortable.

Tight Uniforms

Inappropriate attire for sonographers, including uniforms that are too tight, too short, or too revealing.

Documentation on Ultrasound Images

Patient's name, medical ID number, name/initials of the sonographer, date/time of the exam, scanning site, transducer information, area of interest, patient position, and scanning plane.

Scanning Planes

Representing the area of interest in at least two scanning planes to accurately represent the findings.

Operator Dependent

The quality of the ultrasound image is heavily influenced by the skills and techniques of the person performing the scan.

Proper Ergonomics

Adjust the bed to hip level and maintain a 90-degree elbow angle to prevent shoulder strain. Left hand on machine and right hand on transducer.

Ergonomics

The process of arranging the workspace (bed, patient, machine, chair) to maximize comfort and productivity while minimizing physical stress and injuries.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Disorders affecting muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, or spinal discs, which can be a significant problem for sonographers.

Transducer Grip

Holding the transducer too tightly can cause tension in the hand and wrist, contrary to the myth that a tighter grip improves the image.

Arm Posture

Keep your elbow close to the body at a 90-degree angle, maintain a straight neck, and avoid twisting or bending to prevent pain.

Transducer Cleaning

Wipe off the transducer after each exam and clean it with a suitable effective agent each day.

SODA Wipes

For cleaning transducers, these wipes are free of harsh chemicals.

Supine position

Patient lying on their back.

Prone position

Patient lying on their front or abdomen.

Sitting / Bowler's position

Patient is erect or semi-erect.

Right lateral decubitus

Patient lies on their right side.

Left lateral decubitus

Patient lies on their left side.

Right posterior oblique

Patient on their back with the left side elevated at a 45-degree angle.

Left posterior oblique

Patient lies on their back with the right side of the body elevated about 45 degrees.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior sections

Coronal plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into equal right and left sections

Longitudinal views

It shows a structure's length and depth.

Longitudinal / Sagittal and terms

Terms used interchangeably when referring to a scanning view.

Transverse view

This view shows the structure’s width and depth.

Monitor orientation

Anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior parts of the body are known.

Footprint

The area that touches the patient.

Cable

Part that connects the transducer components to the machine.

Transducer Frequencies

Higher frequency used for viewing superficial structures; lower frequency used for deeper structures.

Holding the Transducer

Avoid straightening the wrist and being too rigid.

Small Movements

Elongate or shorten in order to get the correct transverse to move it.

Big Movements

Small movements = big changes when you make big movements, you're gonna get lost.

Probe indicator / orientation marker

How manufacturers determine position on every transducer.

Manipulating Transducer

Slide transducer up and down, tilt, rotate, or rock.

Compression

Pressing down on the patient.

Gel

Gel position using a bottle, avoid touching the tip to the transducer.

Curved Transducer

Wider field to get a better view, curved.

Scanning

Scan according to the structure’s positioning (lie).

Transducer

Converts electrical energy into acoustic energy during transmission, then converts acoustic energy back into electrical energy when the signal returns.

Display

What we are seeing the image on

TGC

Compensates by making all echoes arising from similar structures appear the same brightness, regardless of the depth.

Amplificaiton

Making all echoes equal volume; can adjust overall amplification (strength) of reflections.

Focus

Located at the minimal sound beam to get the best image.

Freeze Button

Push to take a picture, freeze to make the change.

Depth

What you are able to see (field of view for beam)

Locations

Where you are scanning.

Parenchyma

Meaty part of an organ.

Echogenicity

Characteristic of the tissues that are reflecting.

Homogeneous

Even echos patterned reflection

Heterogeneous

Mixed echo patterned reflection

Echogenic (Hyperechoic)

How easily the organ is to produce echos.

Hypoechoic

Lower echoes or less bright compared to normal.

Anechoic

No echoes (fluid blood filled structure that has no echos).

Isoechoic

Same echogenicity as the structure

Artifacts

Not real echos but help diagnose.

Acoustic Enhancement

Demonstrates brightness posterior. A fluid is filled structure