ARDMS Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Practice Exam 2026 - Free Ultrasound Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the far field of an ultrasound beam, the sound beam begins to diverge, leading to a decrease in resolution. As ultrasound waves propagate through tissue, they initially converge, resulting in a well-defined focal area. However, beyond this focal zone—known as the far field—waves spread out. This divergence can cause the lateral resolution, or the ability to distinguish between two closely spaced objects, to diminish.

As the beam widens, the likelihood of overlap between echoes from different structures increases, which can compromise the clarity of the images. Consequently, structures that were easily resolved in the focal zone may appear blurred or indistinct in the far field. Understanding this behavior is crucial for optimizing ultrasound imaging, as it influences the assessment of both the quality of the images and the ability to accurately characterize the anatomy being evaluated.