A plain-language guide to common ultrasound terminology found in radiology reports (educational only, no diagnosis).
What This Page Covers
This page explains general Ultrasound terms that often appears in radiology reports.✔ Neutral, educational explanations
✔ Easy-to-read definitions
✔ No medical interpretation
✔ No diagnosis or treatment advice
✔ For general understanding only
Echogenic / Hyperechoic / Hypoechoic
Attenuation / Hyperattenuating / Hypoattenuating
Ultrasound uses sound waves, and tissues appear brighter or darker depending on how much sound they reflect.• Hyperechoic → appears brighter (often fat, fibrous tissue, calcification)
• Hypoechoic → appears darker (often fluid-like or soft tissue areas)
• Echogenic → simply means it produces echoes (visible on ultrasound)These describe appearance only — not what the structure represents clinically.
Anechoic
“Anechoic” means no internal echoes, so it appears completely black.Common examples:
• Simple fluid
• Simple cysts
• Gallbladder contentsAnechoic = “looks like clear fluid on ultrasound.”
Cystic vs. Solid
Ultrasound helps identify whether something appears:• Cystic → fluid-filled (dark or anechoic)
• Solid → tissue-filled (brighter, with internal echoes)This is a descriptive classification, not a diagnosis.
Shadowing
Some structures block sound waves and create a dark shadow behind them.Common causes:
• Gallstones
• Kidney stones
• Calcifications
• Dense boneShadowing simply means the structure prevents ultrasound waves from passing through.
Vascularity
When “vascularity” is mentioned, it refers to blood flow seen with Doppler ultrasound.• “Increased vascularity” → more blood flow
• “Decreased vascularity” → less blood flowThis describes blood flow, not the cause.
Doppler
Doppler ultrasound evaluates movement of blood in vessels.It can show:
• Direction of flow
• Speed of flow
• Whether a vessel is open or narrowedDoppler describes blood flow; it does not diagnose underlying conditions.
Effusion
Means fluid inside a joint space (commonly the knee, shoulder, ankle).
Heterogeneous / Homogeneous
These terms describe the texture of a structure.• Homogeneous → evenly similar appearance
• Heterogeneous → mixed appearance (bright + dark areas)Again, these are appearance-only descriptions.
Free Fluid
Fluid seen in spaces where fluid is not usually present.Examples:
• In the pelvis
• Around the liver or spleen
• Near organs after injury or surgeryUltrasound cannot determine the cause by appearance alone.
Debris / Internal Echoes
If fluid contains small particles or material, it may show as tiny echoes.Often described as:
• “Debris”
• “Internal echoes”
• “Low-level echoes”This indicates fluid is not perfectly clear, but does not state why.
Why Ultrasound Reports Use Technical Language
Ultrasound relies on patterns of brightness, darkness, and sound wave behavior.Radiologists use technical terms to:
• Accurately describe findings
• Communicate with other doctors
• Follow a standardized vocabularyThis specialized language can sound complex but is needed for precision.
When to Discuss Your Results With Your Doctor
Always talk with your doctor if you have questions about:• The meaning of your report
• Whether follow-up is needed
• How findings relate to symptoms
• What next steps are appropriateUltrasound terminology alone cannot provide diagnosis.
Plain-Language Explanation Service
If you want help understanding the wording of your ultrasound report, you can request:✔ A neutral, simple-language explanation of the terms used
✔ A structured summary of the wording
✔ Clear definitions of technical phrases
✔ A non-medical, easy-to-read restatementThis helps you feel better prepared for your discussion with your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This page provides general, educational information about ultrasound terminology.It does not:
• Interpret your ultrasound
• Diagnose medical conditions
• Give medical advice
• Replace professional medical evaluationAlways discuss your personal results with your healthcare provider.