How does the wavelength behave in high-frequency ultrasound?

In high-frequency ultrasound, the wavelength becomes shorter. This is because the relationship between frequency and wavelength is inversely proportional; as the frequency of the ultrasound waves increases, the wavelength decreases. The fundamental equation that relates wavelength (λ), frequency (f), and the speed of sound (v) in a medium is given by λ = v/f. In this context, as the frequency (f) increases, the wavelength (λ) must decrease for the speed of sound (v) in the medium to remain constant.

Shorter wavelengths are significant in diagnostic ultrasound because they provide improved resolution, allowing for finer details to be visualized in the structures being imaged. High-frequency ultrasound is often utilized for imaging small or superficial structures due to this property of shorter wavelengths.