A linear transducer is an ultrasound probe that uses a flat, rectangular-shaped scanning surface to produce high-resolution images of superficial body structures. It is the preferred transducer for vascular imaging, musculoskeletal examinations, breast and thyroid evaluations, and procedures like IV access or nerve blocks. The high frequencies used (typically 7 to 18 MHz) offer excellent detail but limited penetration depth. Linear transducers produce a rectangular image that maintains a consistent field of view from the skin surface down to the deepest visible structures, making them easy to use for measuring and comparing structures at different depths.
Sonography Term