What type of ultrasound wave is used in tissue therapy?

What type of ultrasound wave is used in tissue therapy?

• A. Longitudinal
• B. Transverse
• C. Surface
• D. Circular

Answer: (A)

Longitudinal (compressional) waves are used in tissue therapy. In soft tissues, particles move parallel to the direction of wave travel, so the energy can penetrate deeper and be absorbed to produce heating and mechanical effects. Transverse (shear) waves don’t propagate well in soft tissue because the medium offers little resistance to shear, so they’re not suitable for deep tissue therapy. Surface waves stay near interfaces and attenuate quickly with depth, making them ineffective for treating deeper tissues. Circular waves aren’t a standard category for ultrasound energy in tissue. For these reasons, longitudinal waves are the appropriate choice for tissue therapy.

Longitudinal (compressional) waves are used in tissue therapy. In soft tissues, particles move parallel to the direction of wave travel, so the energy can penetrate deeper and be absorbed to produce heating and mechanical effects. Transverse (shear) waves don’t propagate well in soft tissue because the medium offers little resistance to shear, so they’re not suitable for deep tissue therapy. Surface waves stay near interfaces and attenuate quickly with depth, making them ineffective for treating deeper tissues. Circular waves aren’t a standard category for ultrasound energy in tissue. For these reasons, longitudinal waves are the appropriate choice for tissue therapy.