The Sonographic and Doppler Evaluation of the Female Pelvis Key Terms

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical landmarks, sonographic planes, Doppler indexes, menstrual phases, and pelvic evaluation terminology.

adnexa

Structure or tissue next to or near another related structure.

anteverted

Tipping forward.

coronal plane

Refers to a horizontal plane through the longitudinal axis of the body to image structures from anterior to posterior.

endometrium

Inner lining of the uterine cavity, which appears echogenic to hypoechoic on ultrasound, depending on the menstrual cycle.

introitus

An opening or entrance into a canal or cavity, as the vagina.

menarche

State after reaching puberty in which menses occurs normally every $21$ to $28$ days.

menopause

When menses have ceased permanently.

myometrium

Middle layer of the uterine cavity that appears very homogeneous on ultrasound.

parity

Pregnancy.

premenarche

Time before the onset of menses.

retroverted

Bending backward.

sagittal plane

Refers to a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the body that divides it into two portions.

translabial

Across, or through, the labia.

transperineal

Across, or through, the perineum.

cornu

Any hornlike projection; refers to the fundus of the uterus, where the fallopian tube arises.

arcuate vessels

Small vessels found along the periphery of the uterus.

internal os

Inner surface of the cervical os.

menstruation

Days $1$ to $4$ of the menstrual cycle; endometrial canal appears as a hypoechoic central line representing blood and tissue.

Pourcelot resistive index

Doppler measurement that takes the highest systolic peak minus the highest diastolic peak divided by the highest systolic peak.

proliferative phase (early)

Days $5$ to $9$ of the menstrual cycle; endometrium appears as a single thin stripe with a hypoechoic halo encompassing it; creates the 'three-line sign'.

proliferative phase (late)

Days $10$ to $14$ of the menstrual cycle; ovulation occurs; the endometrium increases in thickness and echogenicity.

pulsatility index

Doppler measurement that uses peak systole minus peak diastole divided by the mean.

secretory phase

Days $15$ to $28$ of the menstrual cycle; the endometrium is at its greatest thickness and echogenicity with posterior enhancement.

sonohysterography

Technique that uses a catheter inserted into the endometrial cavity, with instillation of saline solution or contrast medium to fill the endometrial cavity for the purpose of demonstrating abnormalities within the cavity or uterine tubes.

S/D ratio

Difference between peak systole and end diastole.

obturator internus muscle

Pelvic muscle seen sonographically at the posterior lateral corners of the bladder at the level of the vagina and cervix.

levator ani muscle

The muscle that is best visualized sonographically in a transverse plane with caudal angulation at the most inferior aspect of the bladder.

piriformis muscles

The muscles that are located on either side of the midline posterior to the upper half of the uterine body and fundus.

functional layer

The layer of the endometrium that is seen as a hyperechoic halo encompassing the stripe during the early proliferative phase.

basal layer

The layer of the endometrium that represents the thin surrounding hyperechoic outermost echo.