Terminology

A-Mode

• Early mode of ultrasound image that today is primarily used in ophthalmic imaging

• Amplitude of echoes plotted along a single axis

• Shows echo intensity versus depth

B-Mode

• Brightness of echoes corresponds to their amplitude

• Provides two-dimensional grayscale representation of structures

M-Mode

• mode of ultrasound primarily used in fetal cardiac imaging today

• Shows motion of structures over time along a single scan line

• Used for cardiac imaging

Acoustic Shadow

• Region behind a strongly reflecting or absorbing structure

• Sound waves are significantly attenuated

• Causes a darker area on the ultrasound image

Anechoic

• Region within a tissue or structure that appears black or echo-free

• Indicates absence of echoes or sound reflections

Artifact

• Unintended or unwanted feature or distortion in an ultrasound image

• Not representative of true anatomy or pathology

Attenuation

• Reduction in intensity or amplitude of ultrasound waves

• Occurs as waves travel through tissues

• Due to absorption, scattering, and reflection

Bioeffects

• undesired effect of tissue interaction with the ultrasound beam resulting in damage

• Effects of ultrasound on biological tissues

• Includes potential changes or damage resulting from exposure to ultrasound waves

Calipers (Electronic)

• Measurement tools within ultrasound software

• Used to measure various dimensions of structures or lesions

Computer Assisted Diagnosis (CAD)

• Use of computer algorithms to assist in analysis and interpretation of medical images

• Includes ultrasound, for diagnostic purposes

Complex

• Describes structures or lesions with irregular or intricate features on ultrasound images

Compression

• reduction in the amount of data associated with a study to decrease system storage needs

• Process of reducing dynamic range of an ultrasound image

• Enhances visualization of structures with similar echogenicity

Contrast Media

• microbubbles used to enhance the reflectivity of blood

• Substances administered to enhance visibility of certain structures or blood flow

• Used during ultrasound imaging

Doppler

• Technique used to assess blood flow

• Measures frequency shift of ultrasound waves reflected by moving red blood cells

Duplex Scanning

• Combination of B-mode imaging with Doppler

• Provides both anatomical and blood flow information

Dynamic Range

• ratio of maximum to minimum quantity

• Range of echo amplitudes displayed on an ultrasound image

• Adjusted to optimize visualization of structures with varying echogenicity

Echo

• a reflected sound wave

• Reflection of ultrasound waves off a tissue interface

• Produces a signal displayed on the ultrasound image

Echo Texture

• Overall pattern or appearance of echoes within a structure or tissue

• Seen on an ultrasound image

Echogenic

• Describes a structure or tissue that produces bright echoes

• High reflectivity on an ultrasound image

Echolucent

• Describes a structure or tissue that appears dark or hypoechoic

• Low reflectivity on an ultrasound image

Echopenic

• Describes a structure or tissue with lower echogenicity compared to surrounding structures

Elastography

• evaluates tissue stiffness

• Technique used to assess tissue elasticity and stiffness

• Using ultrasound waves

Enhancement

• Increased brightness or visibility of structures beyond a hypoechoic region

• Due to reduced attenuation or increased transmission of ultrasound

Field of View

• the physical extent of the image

• Area of the anatomy visible on the ultrasound image at a given time

Footprint

• Physical area of the transducer that makes contact with the patient's skin

• During an ultrasound examination

Frequency

• Number of cycles of ultrasound waves per second

• Measured in Hertz (Hz)

Fusion Technology

• Integration of multiple imaging modalities or data sources

• Enhances visualization and information during diagnostic procedures

Gray Scale

• the range of shades of black and white assigned to an ultrasound image based on the echo intensity

• Scale of shades of gray used to represent different echo intensities

• On an ultrasound image

Hard Copy

• Printed copy of an ultrasound image

Harmonics

• Higher-frequency components of the ultrasound signal

• Generated during transmission and reception of ultrasound waves

• Provide additional image information

Heterogeneous

• Describes a structure or tissue with varying echogenicity or composition within its volume

Homogeneous

• Describes a structure or tissue with uniform echogenicity or composition within its volume

Hyperechoic

• Describes a structure or tissue that produces very bright echoes

• High reflectivity on an ultrasound image

Hypoechoic

• Describes a structure or tissue that appears dark or less bright than surrounding tissues

• On an ultrasound image

Image Contrast

• Difference in brightness or echogenicity between structures or tissues

• On an ultrasound image

Insonation

• Process of exposing an area of the body to ultrasound waves

• For imaging or Doppler assessment

Interface

• Boundary or surface between two different tissues or structures

• May produce echoes on an ultrasound image

Isoechoic

• Describes a structure or tissue that has similar echogenicity to the surrounding tissues

• Difficult to distinguish on an ultrasound image

Line Density

• the number of displayed lines per box width

• Number of scan lines or image pixels per unit area

• On an ultrasound image

Output Power

• Intensity of the ultrasound waves emitted by the transducer

• During an examination

Persistence

• frame averaging to improve the signal to noise ratio

• Display of previous ultrasound frames overlaid on the current frame

• Aids in tracking moving structures or detecting changes

Protocol

• Standardized set of procedures and settings

• Used for a specific ultrasound examination

Real-Time Display

• Immediate and continuous display of ultrasound images

• As the scan is being performed

Reverberation

• Artifact caused by multiple reflections of ultrasound waves

• Between two strong reflectors

• Results in parallel lines on the ultrasound image

Scan

• Process of acquiring ultrasound images

• By moving the transducer over the area of interest

Simple

• Anechoic, no internal debris or septa visualized, round, thin, well delineated walls, through transmission

• Describes a structure or tissue with straightforward or uncomplicated features

Soft Copy

• Digital representation of an ultrasound image

• Displayed on a computer screen

Sonographer

• allied health professional who has received special training in the field of sonography

• Healthcare professional trained to perform ultrasound examinations

• Produces diagnostic images

Sonography

• Use of ultrasound waves for medical imaging

• To visualize internal structures and diagnose medical conditions

Sonologist

• a medical doctor trained to use sonography to diagnose patients

• Medical doctor specialized in interpreting and diagnosing medical imaging studies

• Including ultrasound

Sonolucent

• Describes a structure or tissue that allows ultrasound waves to pass through easily

• Results in a darker appearance on the image

SonoCT/Cross X Beam (CRI)/Real Time Spatial Compound Sonography

• Techniques that involve combining multiple ultrasound images from different angles

• Improve image quality and reduce artifacts

Sound

• Mechanical wave generated by ultrasound transducers

• Used to create images by reflecting off internal structures

Specular Reflections

• Strong, mirror-like reflection of ultrasound waves

• Off a smooth, flat surface

• Creates a bright echo on the ultrasound image

Through-Transmission

• Technique involving transmission of ultrasound waves through a structure

• Used to evaluate its properties, such as density or composition

Transducer

• device that converts one form of energy to another

• Device that emits and receives ultrasound waves

• Used to image internal structures in medical ultrasound examinations

Ultrasonogram

• Image produced during an ultrasound examination

• Represents the echo patterns of the scanned area

Ultrasound

• sound above human hearing exceeding 20kHz

• High-frequency sound waves beyond the range of human hearing

• Used for medical imaging and therapeutic purposes

Wall Filter

• aims to reduce low amplitude frequencies

• Filter used to eliminate low-frequency Doppler signals

• Helps isolate and display high-velocity blood flow

Write Priority

• Order in which ultrasound data is saved or stored

• Based on clinical or procedural requirements