What is an Ultrasound (sonogram)?
An ultrasound exam (also known as a sonogram), uses sound waves far above the range of human hearing to penetrate your body. When your internal organs reflect back the sound waves, a computer records and interprets the resulting echoes and generates an image of the area of your body being examined. An ultrasound does not use x-rays. An ultrasound technologist will spread a gel over the area of your body to be scanned and then run a wand-like instrument (called a transducer) through the gel. A video screen will display a moving image of the area examined, and the image will be recorded for analysis. Most sonogram examinations are not painful. Some procedures may cause some temporary discomfort. Speak with the technologist performing the exam.
