FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL Sonoanatomy in adults

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) requires a thorough understanding of the anatomic details of the involved structures. Learning the gross anatomy is fundamental for interpreting the ultrasound images and is vital before proceeding to scrutinize pathologies and guide injections. The term “sonoanatomy” reflects dynamic ultrasound evaluation of the musculoskeletal tissues and their interfaces. Sonoanatomy also expands to include dynamic exploration of the local superficial musculoskeletal and neurovascular structures and their relationships. Acquaintance with the normal sonoanatomy of musculoskeletal tissues is important to know and make about 90% of the accurate diagnosis. The popularity of sonoanatomy courses among musculoskeletal ultrasonography practitioners reflects the sincere desire to enhance their level of professional excellence in this area. Looking at the future, interactive ultrasound and learning sonoanatomy will not only become an important educational tool for medical practitioners but also a practical learning approach for under- and post-graduate students to studying human anatomy. This chapter will discuss fundamentals of musculoskeletal sonoanatomy and its clinical implications.