Which component of the ultrasound system converts the electric energy provided by the pulser into acoustic pulses transmitted into the patient?

• A. Memory
• B. Scan converter
• C. Transducer
• D. Receiver

Answer: (C)

The transducer is the component that converts electric energy from the pulser into acoustic energy to emit into the body. This happens because the piezoelectric crystals in the transducer deform when a voltage is applied, producing the ultrasound waves that travel into the patient. The same crystals then listen for echoes and convert the returning mechanical energy back into electrical signals for the receiver to process. Other parts like memory, scan converter, and receiver manage data storage, image formatting, and signal processing, but they do not create the initial acoustic pulses.