What is the Hounsfield Unit (HU) range for blood?

The Hounsfield Unit (HU) is a quantitative measurement used in computed tomography (CT) that provides a standardized way to assess the radiodensity of different tissues and materials in the body. This scale is based on water, which is assigned a value of 0 HU, and air, which is given a value of -1000 HU.

Blood, particularly in its liquid state, typically has a radiodensity that falls within the range of +30 to +35 HU. This range reflects the presence of various components within blood, including plasma and red blood cells, which contribute to its density and thus its Hounsfield Unit measurement. Understanding this range is crucial for interpreting CT scans, especially in cases where hemorrhage or vascular malformations may be present.

The other options do not accurately reflect the typical HU range for blood. For example, values such as +50 to +65 HU would exceed the density of blood, suggesting higher density materials like soft tissues or certain biological fluids. A single value of 15 HU would underestimate the density of blood, and a value of 0 HU corresponds to water, which does not apply to the radiodensity of blood. Hence, the specified range captures the essential characteristics of blood's composition and