Which type of resolution is determined by the number of pixels in the scan converter?

Which type of resolution is determined by the number of pixels in the scan converter?

• A. Temporal
• B. Spatial
• C. Contrast
• D. Elevational

Answer: (B)

The ability to distinguish two closely spaced structures in the image—spatial resolution—depends on how finely the image data are sampled in space. The scan converter turns echoes into a grid of pixels, so increasing the number of pixels gives denser sampling of the image and finer detail, allowing two nearby reflectors to appear as separate rather than merged. That’s why this type of resolution is determined by pixel count. Temporal resolution, on the other hand, is about how quickly frames are updated (frame rate) and isn’t set by pixel density. Contrast resolution refers to how well the system can differentiate different gray levels (dynamic range), not how many pixels are used. Elevational resolution relates to the thickness of the imaging slice in the elevation direction, influenced by beam geometry and transducer design rather than the scan converter’s pixel count.

The ability to distinguish two closely spaced structures in the image—spatial resolution—depends on how finely the image data are sampled in space. The scan converter turns echoes into a grid of pixels, so increasing the number of pixels gives denser sampling of the image and finer detail, allowing two nearby reflectors to appear as separate rather than merged. That’s why this type of resolution is determined by pixel count.

Temporal resolution, on the other hand, is about how quickly frames are updated (frame rate) and isn’t set by pixel density. Contrast resolution refers to how well the system can differentiate different gray levels (dynamic range), not how many pixels are used. Elevational resolution relates to the thickness of the imaging slice in the elevation direction, influenced by beam geometry and transducer design rather than the scan converter’s pixel count.