Which statement accurately describes the effect of increasing frequency on penetration depth?

Which statement accurately describes the effect of increasing frequency on penetration depth?

• A. Increasing frequency increases penetration depth
• B. Increasing frequency decreases penetration depth
• C. Penetration depth is independent of frequency
• D. The effect depends on tissue type

Answer: (B)

Higher frequency ultrasound attenuates more as it travels through tissue. Attenuation in soft tissue increases with frequency, so higher frequency waves lose energy faster and can’t travel as far. That means penetration depth decreases when frequency increases. Using higher frequencies gives sharper images of structures closer to the skin but limits how deep you can see. The exact depth does vary with tissue properties, but the general relationship—more frequency, less penetration—holds.

Higher frequency ultrasound attenuates more as it travels through tissue. Attenuation in soft tissue increases with frequency, so higher frequency waves lose energy faster and can’t travel as far. That means penetration depth decreases when frequency increases. Using higher frequencies gives sharper images of structures closer to the skin but limits how deep you can see. The exact depth does vary with tissue properties, but the general relationship—more frequency, less penetration—holds.