What is the propagation speed of muscle?

What is the propagation speed of muscle?

• A. 1,460 m/s
• B. 1,555 m/s
• C. 4,080 m/s
• D. 1,600 m/s

Answer: (D)

Propagation speed of sound through tissue depends on density and stiffness. Muscle is a water-rich soft tissue with moderate stiffness, so sound travels faster than in fat but slower than in bone. The speed can be estimated by v ≈ sqrt(K/ρ), meaning soft tissues like muscle typically fall in the 1.5×10^3 m/s range. Bone is much stiffer, leading to speeds around 4,000 m/s, while fat is less stiff and slower, about 1,450 m/s. Among the options, 1,600 m/s is a common rounded value used for muscle in many references, making it the best match for the propagation speed of muscle.

Propagation speed of sound through tissue depends on density and stiffness. Muscle is a water-rich soft tissue with moderate stiffness, so sound travels faster than in fat but slower than in bone. The speed can be estimated by v ≈ sqrt(K/ρ), meaning soft tissues like muscle typically fall in the 1.5×10^3 m/s range. Bone is much stiffer, leading to speeds around 4,000 m/s, while fat is less stiff and slower, about 1,450 m/s. Among the options, 1,600 m/s is a common rounded value used for muscle in many references, making it the best match for the propagation speed of muscle.