Ultrasound Identifications

What is the primary job of the heart?

To pump blood to all the organs and tissues in the body.

How many times does the heart beat in a day?

About 100,000 times.

How many gallons of blood does the heart send through the body daily?

2,000 gallons.

What is the average number of heartbeats per minute during a normal cycle?

60 beats per minute (bpm).

Why is the heart considered one of the most complex organs?

Because of its role and function in circulating blood throughout the entire body.

What is the main function of arteries?

To bring freshly oxygenated blood from the heart and lungs to all organs and tissues.

What do arteries supply to organs and tissues?

Nutrients they need to function.

What pushes blood through the arteries?

The heart pumping.

What is the main function of veins?

To bring oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart.

What do veins do with the waste materials from organs and tissues?

Bring them to the liver to be detoxified.

What pushes blood through the veins?

Muscle contractions and breathing.

What is the largest artery in the body?

The abdominal aorta.

Which major abdominal organs does the abdominal aorta supply with blood?

Liver, spleen, pancreas, bowel, kidneys, and reproductive organs.

What happens when the aorta terminates?

It branches into smaller arteries that supply blood flow to the legs.

What is the largest vein in the body?

The Inferior Vena Cava (IVC).

What does the Inferior Vena Cava collect?

Blood draining from major abdominal organs like the reproductive organs, kidneys, and liver.

Besides abdominal organs, where else does the IVC collect blood from?

The legs.

What type of probe is used to scan the aorta and IVC?

A curvilinear low-frequency probe.

Where do the aorta and IVC lie in the body?

Deep in the abdomen.

How do the walls of the aorta appear on ultrasound?

Stiff, more rigid, thicker, and brighter.

Why does the aorta have thicker walls?

To withstand the high pressure from the heart pumping.

What happens to the diameter of the aorta as it travels away from the heart?

It gets smaller.

Where is the aorta located in relation to the spine?

To the left of the spine.

Is the aorta deeper or more superficial than the IVC?

Deeper.

How do the walls of the IVC appear on ultrasound?

Relaxed, collapsible, and thinner.

What happens to the diameter of the IVC as it gets closer to the heart?

It gets larger.

What affects the diameter and shape of the IVC?

Breathing

Where is the IVC located in relation to the spine?

On top of or just to the right of the spine.

Is the IVC more anterior or posterior than the aorta?

More anterior.

What do the carotid arteries supply blood to?

The brain

Why are carotid arteries often evaluated by ultrasound

To detect and prevent a stroke.

How many carotid arteries are there, and where are they located?

Two — a right and a left carotid artery, which travel up the sides of the neck.

What is the largest soft tissue organ in the body?

The liver.

What are some of the liver's major functions?

Metabolism, digestion, storage, and detoxification of substances.

What is metabolism?

The physical and chemical process where food particles are synthesized into new substances.

What are the two main lobes of the liver?

Right lobe and left lobe.

Which liver lobe is smaller and wedge-shaped?

The left lobe

Which liver lobe is the largest and looks more rounded on ultrasound?

The right lobe.

How does the liver appear on ultrasound?

Very homogenous with low-level gray echoes.

What type of probe is used to scan the liver?

A low-frequency curvilinear probe.

What is the echogenicity of the kidney cortex compared to the liver?

It should be of equal echogenicity or slightly less echogenic than the liver.

What is the echogenicity and texture of the spleen compared to the liver?

It should be equal in echogenicity and texture to the liver.

What is the echogenicity of the pancreas compared to the liver?

It should be of equal echogenicity or slightly more echogenic than the liver.

What is the function of the gallbladder?

It holds bile until it is needed to digest food.

Where is the gallbladder located?

Between the liver and pancreas.

How does the gallbladder appear on ultrasound?

Anechoic (completely black, fluid-filled).

What organs are part of the urinary system?

The right and left kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

What is the function of the kidneys?

To eliminate waste products from the body.

How does urine travel from the kidneys to the bladder?

Through the ureters.

What type of probe is used to scan the kidneys?

A low-frequency curvilinear probe.

What is the outer portion of the kidney called and how does it appear on ultrasound?

Cortex – appears hypoechoic.

What is the inner portion of the kidney called and how does it appear on ultrasound?

Sinus – appears echogenic.

What digestive function does the pancreas perform?

It releases digestive substances into the intestines.

What hormonal function does the pancreas perform?

It releases hormones into the bloodstream to regulate heart rate and the body’s hormonal balance.

Where is the pancreas located in the body?

In the center of the upper abdomen (epigastric), near the stomach and left lobe of the liver.

What shape does the pancreas resemble?

A seahorse on its side.

What are the sections of the pancreas?

Head/Neck, Body, and Tail.

What structures border the pancreas?

Blood vessels.

How does the pancreas appear on ultrasound compared to the liver?

It is more echogenic than the nearby liver.

What are two main functions of the spleen?

Forms blood cells and removes old, non-functioning blood cells from the bloodstream.

How does the spleen help defend the body?

By producing antibodies that fight disease.

Where is the spleen located?

In the upper left region of the abdomen underneath the ribs (left hypochondrium).

How does the spleen appear on ultrasound?

Homogeneous and hypoechoic, similar to the liver.

What organs is the spleen located next to?

The left kidney and the tail of the pancreas.

What shape does the spleen have?

A “crescent moon” shape.

What type of probe is used to scan the spleen?

A low frequency curvilinear probe.

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

It maintains normal body metabolism, growth, and development by synthesizing, storing, and secreting thyroid hormones.

Where is the thyroid gland located?

In the front of the neck on either side of the trachea (windpipe).

How does the thyroid appear on ultrasound?

Homogeneous and hypoechoic.

What type of probe is used to scan the thyroid?

A high frequency linear probe.

Where is the uterus located?

In the lower mid abdomen.

What type of probe is used to scan the uterus?

A low frequency curvilinear probe.

Where does the uterus sit in relation to the bladder?

Posterior to the bladder.

How does uterine tissue appear on ultrasound?

Hypoechoic

How does the endometrium (uterine lining) appear on ultrasound?

Echogenic

What is typically seen anterior to the uterus during scanning?

An anechoic, fluid-filled bladder.

What is the correct order of echogenicity from least to most echogenic?

Kidney cortex < Liver & Spleen < Pancreas.

How should the kidney cortex appear compared to the liver and spleen?

More hypoechoic (darker).

Which organ should appear the brightest on ultrasound?

The pancreas.

What does it mean if the liver and kidney appear isoechoic?

It is considered normal and acceptable.

What might it indicate if the normal echogenicity pattern is not correct?

Something may be wrong with an organ.

What is the term for comparing echogenicity between organs?

Interface

How should the kidney cortex appear compared to the liver?

Hypoechoic or isoechoic to the liver.

What does it mean if the kidney cortex is hyperechoic to the liver?

It likely indicates something is wrong with the kidney.

How should the liver appear compared to the pancreas?

Hypoechoic to the pancreas.

Which organ is more echogenic — the liver or the pancreas?

The pancreas.

What could variation from the normal liver/pancreas echogenicity pattern indicate?

Disease