Understanding Ultrasound Physics 4th Edition

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to ultrasound physics as discussed in Edelman's 4th edition of Understanding Ultrasound Physics.

Doppler Shift

The change in frequency of sound when the source and observer are moving relative to each other.

Directly Related

A relationship where an increase in one variable leads to an increase in another variable.

Inversely Related

A relationship where an increase in one variable leads to a decrease in another variable.

Pulsatile Flow

Blood flow that fluctuates with the cardiac cycle, typically seen in arterial circulation.

Laminar Flow

A type of flow where blood cells move in parallel layers, commonly found in normal physiological states.

Turbulent Flow

A chaotic blood flow pattern occurring at higher velocities or in pathological states.

Reynold's Number

A unitless number that predicts whether flow will be laminar or turbulent.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure exerted by a fluid due to its weight relative to a reference point, often measured in mmHg.

Cavitation

The formation of vapor cavities in a liquid due to pressure changes, potentially leading to tissue damage.

Bioeffects

Adverse physiological effects resulting from exposure to ultrasound.

Quality Assurance

Routine evaluations of an ultrasound system to guarantee optimal image quality and system performance.

Artifacts

Findings on an ultrasound image that do not represent reality, often resulting from equipment or operator errors.

Anechoic

Describes a region entirely devoid of echoes, appearing black on the ultrasound image.

Hyperechoic

Describes structures that appear brighter than surrounding tissues, usually due to increased reflection.

Hypoechoic

Describes structures that appear darker than surrounding tissues, indicating fewer echoes.

Spatial Resolution

The ability to distinguish small structures that are close together in ultrasound images.

Temporal Resolution

The ability to accurately position moving structures on an ultrasound image.

Mechanistic Approach

A method of studying bioeffects that searches for a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Empirical Approach

A method of studying bioeffects based on observational data and exposure-response relationships.

ALARA Principle

As Low As Reasonably Achievable; a safety principle to minimize patient exposure to radiation.

DICOM

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine; protocols allowing imaging systems to share information on a network.

PACS

Picture Archiving and Communication System; a medical imaging technology used to securely store and digitally transmit electronic images.

Continuity Equation

A principle that reflects the conservation of mass in fluid dynamics, often applied in cardiovascular studies.

Two-Dimensional Imaging

The generation of flat images representing anatomical slices, typically created using multiple ultrasound pulses.

Contrast Agents

Substances injected or ingested that enhance the visibility of structures in ultrasound imaging.

Doppler Shift

The change in frequency of sound when the source and observer are moving relative to each other.

Directly Related

A relationship where an increase in one variable leads to an increase in another variable.

Inversely Related

A relationship where an increase in one variable leads to a decrease in another variable.

Pulsatile Flow

Blood flow that fluctuates with the cardiac cycle, typically seen in arterial circulation.

Laminar Flow

A type of flow where blood cells move in parallel layers, commonly found in normal physiological states.

Turbulent Flow

A chaotic blood flow pattern occurring at higher velocities or in pathological states.

Reynold's Number

A unitless number that predicts whether flow will be laminar or turbulent.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure exerted by a fluid due to its weight relative to a reference point, often measured in mmHg.

Cavitation

The formation of vapor cavities in a liquid due to pressure changes, potentially leading to tissue damage.

Bioeffects

Adverse physiological effects resulting from exposure to ultrasound.

Quality Assurance

Routine evaluations of an ultrasound system to guarantee optimal image quality and system performance.

Artifacts

Findings on an ultrasound image that do not represent reality, often resulting from equipment or operator errors.

Anechoic

Describes a region entirely devoid of echoes, appearing black on the ultrasound image.

Hyperechoic

Describes structures that appear brighter than surrounding tissues, usually due to increased reflection.

Hypoechoic

Describes structures that appear darker than surrounding tissues, indicating fewer echoes.

Spatial Resolution

The ability to distinguish small structures that are close together in ultrasound images.

Temporal Resolution

The ability to accurately position moving structures on an ultrasound image.

Mechanistic Approach

A method of studying bioeffects that searches for a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Empirical Approach

A method of studying bioeffects based on observational data and exposure-response relationships.

ALARA Principle

As Low As Reasonably Achievable; a safety principle to minimize patient exposure to radiation.

DICOM

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine; protocols allowing imaging systems to share information on a network.

PACS

Picture Archiving and Communication System; a medical imaging technology used to securely store and digitally transmit electronic images.

Continuity Equation

A principle that reflects the conservation of mass in fluid dynamics, often applied in cardiovascular studies.

Two-Dimensional Imaging

The generation of flat images representing anatomical slices, typically created using multiple ultrasound pulses.

Contrast Agents

Substances injected or ingested that enhance the visibility of structures in ultrasound imaging.

Transducer

A device that converts electrical energy into acoustic energy and vice-versa, used to generate and detect ultrasound waves.

Piezoelectric Effect

The property of certain materials (like PZT crystals) to change shape when an electric voltage is applied, and to produce a voltage when mechanically deformed.

Frequency

The number of cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz), which determines the penetration depth and resolution of the ultrasound beam.

Wavelength

The spatial period of a wave, measured in millimeters (mm), representing the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is inversely related to frequency.

Propagation Speed

The speed at which an ultrasound wave travels through a medium, determined by the medium's