What is the approximate typical range of values for wavelength in sonography?

In sonography, the wavelength of ultrasound waves is a critical factor that influences image resolution and penetration. The typical range of values for wavelength in sonography falls between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.

This range corresponds to the frequencies commonly used in diagnostic ultrasound, which are generally between 1 and 10 MHz. The speed of sound in soft tissue, which is approximately 1540 m/s, helps determine the wavelength (λ) through the relationship given by the equation:

[ \lambda = \frac{c}{f} ]

where (c) is the speed of sound in the medium, and (f) is the frequency. When frequencies are in the range of 1 to 10 MHz, the resulting wavelengths calculated from this equation fall within the 0.1 to 0.8 mm range.

Understanding the typical wavelength range is important for sonographers as it directly affects imaging quality—shorter wavelengths provide better resolution but have decreased tissue penetration. Therefore, the selected answer accurately represents the standard wavelengths encountered in clinical sonography situations.