Basic Scanning Methodology and Terminology

Question 1

Echogenic

Answer 1

the ability of tissues or structures to reflect ultrasound waves, affecting their appearance on ultrasound images as brightness variations

Question 2

Echolucent

Answer 2

dark or black, most waves pass through

Question 3

Isoechoic

Answer 3

tissue or structure that has the same echogenicity (brightness) as the surrounding tissue on an ultrasound image

Question 4

Hypoechoic

Answer 4

appears darker or less bright than surroundings

Question 5

Hyperechoic

Answer 5

appears brighter or whiter on an ultrasound image compared to the surrounding tissues

Question 6

Anechoic

Answer 6

region or structure within the body that appears completely black or devoid of echoes

Question 7

Complex

Answer 7

area or structure that displays a combination of echogenic (brightness) patterns within it

Question 8

Solid

Answer 8

area or structure that appears uniformly echogenic (bright) without any hypoechoic (darker) regions within it

Question 9

Artifact

Answer 9

unintended or abnormal feature or pattern

Question 10

Shadowing

Answer 10

artifact when waves encounter a highly attenuating or dense structure within the body, area beyond appears as a dark shadow on the ultrasound image.

Question 11

Homogeneous

Answer 11

uniform or consistent in terms of echogenicity (brightness) throughout its entire area on the ultrasound image

Question 12

Heterogeneous

Answer 12

uneven or having variations in echogenicity (brightness) throughout its area