Slice thickness primarily affects which resolution?

Slice thickness primarily affects which resolution?

• A. Lateral resolution
• B. Elevational resolution
• C. Axial resolution
• D. Temporal resolution

Answer: (B)

Slice thickness defines how much tissue is included in the direction perpendicular to the image plane. Because elevational resolution measures our ability to distinguish structures that lie out of the imaging plane (along that perpendicular direction), slice thickness directly governs it. A thicker slice blends structures that are at different depths within that slab, reducing the ability to separate them, while a thinner slice keeps them more distinct and improves elevational resolution. Lateral resolution depends on the beam width and focusing within the image plane, axial resolution depends on the length of the ultrasound pulse (or wavelength and pulse design) along the beam path, and temporal resolution relates to how quickly successive frames are acquired. Slice thickness doesn’t primarily drive those, which is why elevational resolution is the best choice.

Slice thickness defines how much tissue is included in the direction perpendicular to the image plane. Because elevational resolution measures our ability to distinguish structures that lie out of the imaging plane (along that perpendicular direction), slice thickness directly governs it. A thicker slice blends structures that are at different depths within that slab, reducing the ability to separate them, while a thinner slice keeps them more distinct and improves elevational resolution.

Lateral resolution depends on the beam width and focusing within the image plane, axial resolution depends on the length of the ultrasound pulse (or wavelength and pulse design) along the beam path, and temporal resolution relates to how quickly successive frames are acquired. Slice thickness doesn’t primarily drive those, which is why elevational resolution is the best choice.