INTRODUCTION TO NORMAL STRUCTURE
AND FUNCTION FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL
Q&A STUDY GUIDE GRADED A+
◉Acoustic impedance. Answer: The resistance a material provides
to the passage of sound waves.
◉Acoustic shadows. Answer: "Reduced echo amplitude" or echo
"drop off" posterior to a structure that attenuates (decreases, stops,
impedes, or absorbs) the sound beam. Margins are generally sharp
and well defined.
◉ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable). Answer: The prudent
use of diagnostic sonography; dictates that the output level and
exposure time to ultrasound is minimized while obtaining diagnostic
data.
◉Anechoic. Answer: term used to describe an echo-free appearance
on a sonographic image.
◉Artifact. Answer: Echo features or structures observed on
ultrasound images that are unassociated with the object being
imaged.
,◉Ascites. Answer: Accumulation of serous fluid anywhere in the
abdominopelvic cavity.
◉Attenuation. Answer: Decrease in the intensity of the sound beam
as it passes through a structure, caused by absorption, scatter, or
beam divergence.
◉Axial (short axis). Answer: At right angles to longitudinal sections.
◉Beam divergence. Answer: Widening of the sound beam as it
travels.
◉Calculi/"stones". Answer: Concentration of mineral salts that may
accompany some disease processes.
◉Calipers (electronic). Answer: Two or more measurement cursors
that can be manipulated to calibrate the distance between echoes of
interest on the imaging screen.
◉Color Flow Doppler. Answer: Doppler shift information in a two-
dimensional presentation superimposed on a real-time gray scale
anatomic cross-sectional image.
, ◉Complex Mass. Answer: Abnormal mass within the body
composed of both tissue and fluid. Classified as an abnormal tissue
and fluid collection within the body that disrupts the otherwise
normal echo pattern of body structs on an ultrasound image.
◉Contralateral. Answer: on the opposite side of the body i.e. the
ovaries
◉Contrast. Answer: A comparison to show differences. An
ultrasound image produces a preponderance of dark and light
comparative gray-scale tones.
◉Coronal scanning planes. Answer: Any plane parallel to the long
axis of the body and perpendicular to sagittal scanning planes.
◉Coupling agent. Answer: Substance used to reduce air between the
ultrasound transducer and surface of the skin.
◉Crura of diaphragm. Answer: Right and left crus or fibromuscular
bands arising from the lumbar vertebrae that insert into the central
tendon of the diaphragm.
◉Cystic. Answer: Describes the sonographic appearance of a fluid
collection within the body that does not meet the criteria to be
considered a true cyst.
AND FUNCTION FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL
Q&A STUDY GUIDE GRADED A+
◉Acoustic impedance. Answer: The resistance a material provides
to the passage of sound waves.
◉Acoustic shadows. Answer: "Reduced echo amplitude" or echo
"drop off" posterior to a structure that attenuates (decreases, stops,
impedes, or absorbs) the sound beam. Margins are generally sharp
and well defined.
◉ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable). Answer: The prudent
use of diagnostic sonography; dictates that the output level and
exposure time to ultrasound is minimized while obtaining diagnostic
data.
◉Anechoic. Answer: term used to describe an echo-free appearance
on a sonographic image.
◉Artifact. Answer: Echo features or structures observed on
ultrasound images that are unassociated with the object being
imaged.
,◉Ascites. Answer: Accumulation of serous fluid anywhere in the
abdominopelvic cavity.
◉Attenuation. Answer: Decrease in the intensity of the sound beam
as it passes through a structure, caused by absorption, scatter, or
beam divergence.
◉Axial (short axis). Answer: At right angles to longitudinal sections.
◉Beam divergence. Answer: Widening of the sound beam as it
travels.
◉Calculi/"stones". Answer: Concentration of mineral salts that may
accompany some disease processes.
◉Calipers (electronic). Answer: Two or more measurement cursors
that can be manipulated to calibrate the distance between echoes of
interest on the imaging screen.
◉Color Flow Doppler. Answer: Doppler shift information in a two-
dimensional presentation superimposed on a real-time gray scale
anatomic cross-sectional image.
, ◉Complex Mass. Answer: Abnormal mass within the body
composed of both tissue and fluid. Classified as an abnormal tissue
and fluid collection within the body that disrupts the otherwise
normal echo pattern of body structs on an ultrasound image.
◉Contralateral. Answer: on the opposite side of the body i.e. the
ovaries
◉Contrast. Answer: A comparison to show differences. An
ultrasound image produces a preponderance of dark and light
comparative gray-scale tones.
◉Coronal scanning planes. Answer: Any plane parallel to the long
axis of the body and perpendicular to sagittal scanning planes.
◉Coupling agent. Answer: Substance used to reduce air between the
ultrasound transducer and surface of the skin.
◉Crura of diaphragm. Answer: Right and left crus or fibromuscular
bands arising from the lumbar vertebrae that insert into the central
tendon of the diaphragm.
◉Cystic. Answer: Describes the sonographic appearance of a fluid
collection within the body that does not meet the criteria to be
considered a true cyst.
