You should be able to:

  • Understand the principles of sound and ultrasound
  • Describe the properties that define sound waves
  • Explain the piezoelectric effect
  • Explain how an ultrasound image is generated
  • Describe the interactions of ultrasound waves with tissue, including transmission, reflection and attenuation
  • Describe the factors that influence resolution and penetration
  • Summarise common artefacts in ultrasound imaging and explain the reasons they occur
  • Outline the different modalities of ultrasound imaging
  • Compare and describe ultrasound probes available
  • Describe the Doppler effect and the use of the Doppler equation in determining wave velocity
  • Summarise the uses of ultrasound and Doppler in clinical practice
  • Describe the advantages of ultrasound as an imaging modality