ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam - Topic 4 Question 5 Discussion

Actual exam question for ARDMS's AB-Abdomen exam

Question #: 5
Topic #: 4

[All AB-Abdomen Questions]

Which description is associated with the normal sonographic appearance of a tendon?

ACord-like hyperechoic linear structure

BHyperechoic with posterior shadowing

CHypoechoic with enhancement

DThin hypoechoic structure

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A

On ultrasound, tendons appear as cord-like hyperechoic structures with linear fibrillar echotexture when imaged in long axis. The fibrils are highly reflective, creating the typical hyperechoic appearance. Posterior shadowing is not typical unless there is calcification.

According to Rumack's Diagnostic Ultrasound:

''Tendons have a highly organized hyperechoic linear fibrillar pattern when examined along their long axis.''

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

AIUM Practice Parameter for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, 2020.

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by Rosina at Nov 25, 2025, 07:43 AM

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Berry

1 day ago

A is the best choice. It matches what we learned!

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Golda

6 days ago

I feel like C is misleading. Tendons aren’t hypoechoic.

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Johna

11 days ago

B seems right too, but I lean towards A.

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Alease

17 days ago

Definitely A! It's so clear on the scan.

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Chun

22 days ago

I always thought they were supposed to be thin and hypoechoic, like D.

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Gilberto

27 days ago

B) Hyperechoic with posterior shadowing sounds familiar too.

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Lettie

2 months ago

Wait, are we sure about that? I thought tendons were more hypoechoic.

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Edelmira

2 months ago

Totally agree, that's the classic look for tendons.

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Dorethea

2 months ago

A) Cord-like hyperechoic linear structure is correct!

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Kindra

2 months ago

A, no doubt. Tendons are the bodybuilders of the ultrasound world - big, strong, and impossible to miss.

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Pamela

2 months ago

A is the way to go. Tendons are like the superheroes of the musculoskeletal system - they gotta stand out on the screen!

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Krissy

2 months ago

I'm going with A. Tendons are supposed to be all bright and shiny, not dark and shadowy like the other options.

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Amos

3 months ago

A) Cord-like hyperechoic linear structure is the correct answer. Tendons appear as bright, linear structures on ultrasound.

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Kirby

3 months ago

I recall that tendons should look linear and bright, but I can't remember if that's A or B. This is tricky!

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Cecilia

3 months ago

I practiced a question similar to this, and I feel like hyperechoic with posterior shadowing was mentioned, so maybe B is correct?

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Raul

3 months ago

I'm not entirely sure, but I remember something about tendons being hyperechoic. Was it B or A?

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Iluminada

3 months ago

I feel pretty confident about this one. The normal appearance of a tendon on ultrasound is a hyperechoic, cord-like linear structure. So I'm going to select A.

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Laquanda

3 months ago

Ugh, I'm drawing a blank on the normal sonographic appearance of tendons. I know it has something to do with echogenicity, but I can't remember the details. I'm just going to guess and pick C - hypoechoic with enhancement.

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Meghann

4 months ago

Okay, let me think this through. A tendon is supposed to be hyperechoic, right? So I'm going to eliminate B and C. I'm stuck between A and D, but I'll go with A since it specifically mentions a "cord-like" structure.

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Reed

4 months ago

I think it's A. Looks like a cord.

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Jose

4 months ago

I think the normal appearance of a tendon is usually described as a cord-like structure, so I might lean towards A.

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Carlota

4 months ago

Definitely A. Tendons are like little ropes holding our bodies together, and that's exactly how they look on the scan.

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Helene

4 months ago

A is the classic description. Can't go wrong!

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Makeda

5 months ago

Hmm, I'm not totally sure about this one. The options seem pretty similar, but I think I'll go with D - a thin hypoechoic structure. That sounds the most like what I remember from my anatomy lectures.

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Loren

5 months ago

This looks like a pretty straightforward question. I'd go with A - a cord-like hyperechoic linear structure seems like the normal sonographic appearance of a tendon.

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