What term describes the features of sound waves?

The term that describes the features of sound waves is "acoustic parameters." Acoustic parameters encompass various measurable characteristics of sound waves, including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and speed. In the context of sonography, these parameters are crucial for understanding how sound behaves within different tissues and for optimizing imaging techniques.

Acoustic parameters help practitioners evaluate the quality and resolution of the ultrasound images produced. For instance, frequency directly influences both image resolution and depth of penetration; higher frequencies offer better resolution but less depth, while lower frequencies penetrate deeper but provide less detail.

Understanding acoustic parameters is essential for effective application in diagnostic imaging, as they inform choices regarding transducer selection and imaging settings to obtain the best possible results for a given clinical scenario.