Ultrasound Terminology

Question 1

Echogenic

Answer 1

A structure that produces echoes, echogenic structures appear white e.g. surface of the bone

Question 2

Anechoic

Answer 2

Structure that does not produce echoes, may appear black eg lumen of blood vessels, bladder

Question 3

Hyperechoic

Answer 3

The structure that produces strong echoes compare to surrounding structures, they will appear white

Question 4

Hypoechoic

Answer 4

A structure that produces weak echoes compared to surrounding structures, they will appear dark grey

Question 5

Isoechoic

Answer 5

A structure that produces echoes similar to surrounding structures

Question 6

Heterogenous

Answer 6

An uneven texture pattern of a structure

Question 7

Homogeneous

Answer 7

An even texture pattern of a structure

Question 8

Shadowing

Answer 8

Dark area of image where the ultrasound beam is attenuated by a solid object

Question 9

Reverberation

Answer 9

Evenly spaced parallel lines caused by ultrasonic waves reflecting back and forth between the transducer and a strong reflecting surface

Question 10

Anisotrophic artefact

Answer 10

Dark area of image caused when the transducer is not perpendicular to the axis of the structure of interest