An ultrasound scan is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images from the inside of your body. It’s also known as sonography. An ultrasound allows your doctor to see problems with organs, vessels, and tissues without needing to make an incision.
Why are Ultrasounds Used For?
Most people associate Ultrasound Scans with pregnancy. These scans can provide an expectant mother with the first view of her unborn child. However, the test has many other uses. Your doctor may order an ultrasound if you’re having pain, swelling, or other symptoms that require an internal view of your organs. An ultrasound is also a helpful way to guide surgeons’ movements during certain medical procedures, such as biopsies.
What Happens During an Ultrasound Procedure?
You will be lying down on a table with a section of your body exposed for the test. An ultrasound technician, called a sonographer, will apply a special lubricating jelly to your skin. This prevents friction so they can rub the ultrasound transducer on your skin. The transducer has a similar appearance to a microphone. The jelly also helps transmit the sound waves. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through your body. The waves echo as they hit a dense object, such as an organ or bone. Those echoes are then reflected back into a computer. They form a picture that can be interpreted by the doctor.
What are The Benefits of an Ultrasound?
The procedure is painless and noninvasive. Unlike other imaging techniques, ultrasound does not use radiation. For this reason, it’s the preferred method for viewing a developing fetus during pregnancy.