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

  • Describes a structure or tissue with straightforward or uncomplicated features

  • On ultrasound images

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