Reflections arising from the focal zone create images that are ______ than those from other depths.

Reflections arising from the focal zone create images that are ______ than those from other depths.

• A. Less accurate
• B. More accurate
• C. Equally accurate
• D. More blurred

Answer: (B)

In ultrasound imaging, the focal zone is where the beam is most tightly focused and energy is concentrated. Because the beam width is smallest there, lateral resolution is at its best, so echoes coming from structures within the focal zone are mapped with greater precision and detail. Outside this zone, the beam widens as it diverges, which reduces lateral resolution and blurs the image. So reflections arising from the focal zone are more accurate representations of the true structures than reflections from depths where the beam is less focused.

In ultrasound imaging, the focal zone is where the beam is most tightly focused and energy is concentrated. Because the beam width is smallest there, lateral resolution is at its best, so echoes coming from structures within the focal zone are mapped with greater precision and detail. Outside this zone, the beam widens as it diverges, which reduces lateral resolution and blurs the image. So reflections arising from the focal zone are more accurate representations of the true structures than reflections from depths where the beam is less focused.