What does TGC stand for in ultrasound terminology?

Time Gain Compensation refers to a feature in ultrasound imaging that allows the operator to adjust the gain of the received signals at different depths. This adjustment helps to compensate for the attenuation of the ultrasound waves as they travel through tissue. As sound waves penetrate deeper into the body, they become weaker due to scattering and absorption.

With Time Gain Compensation, the operator can boost the amplitude of the returning echoes from deeper structures while leaving the gain for superficial structures unchanged. This ensures that images are uniformly bright and diagnostic across various depths, improving the overall quality of the ultrasound examination.

The primary purpose of TGC is to enhance the quality of the ultrasound images by providing better contrast and detail, especially in areas that may otherwise appear dark due to the natural attenuation of sound as it passes through different layers of tissue.