Ultrasound imaging (sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to view inside the body. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can also show movement of the body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels. Unlike X-ray imaging, there is no ionizing radiation exposure associated with ultrasound imaging.

In an ultrasound exam, a transducer (probe) is placed directly on the skin or inside a body opening. A thin layer of gel is applied to the skin so that the ultrasound waves are transmitted from the transducer through the gel into the  body.

The ultrasound image is produced based on the reflection of the waves off of the body structures. The strength (amplitude) of the sound signal and the time it takes for the wave to travel through the body provide the information necessary to produce an image.

Uses

Ultrasound imaging is a medical tool that can help a physician evaluate, diagnose and treat medical conditions. Common ultrasound imaging procedures include:

• Abdominal ultrasound (to visualize abdominal tissues and organs)
• Bone sonometry (to assess bone fragility)
• Breast ultrasound (to visualize breast tissue)
• Doppler fetal heart rate monitors (to listen to the fetal heart beat)
• Doppler ultrasound (to visualize blood flow through a blood vessel, organs, or other structures)
• Echocardiogram (to view the heart)
• Fetal ultrasound (to view the fetus in pregnancy)
• Ultrasound-guided biopsies (to collect a sample of tissue)
• Ophthalmic ultrasound (to visualize ocular structures
• Ultrasound-guided needle placement (in blood vessels or other tissues of interest)