What is ultrasound?
A. It is high frequency sound wave pulses that are directed painlessly through the body tissues by the probe on the surface of the skin. Just like the sound we can hear, the pulses reflect off surfaces and in the body these are tissue boundaries. The echoes return to the probe and electronically converted into a moving image.
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to reflect off internal body parts. The reflected waves are picked up by the probe (the device that moves across the tummy) and rela yed to the machine. The sounds (or echoes) are electronically changed into pictures (or images). The machine displays the distances and intensities of the echoes on the screen, forming a two dimensional image. For 3D, several two-dimensional images are acquired and then combined by the machine’s state-of-the-art computer software to form 3D images. An ultrasound can also reproduce sounds, such as a baby’s heartbeat. This is a prescription used device.
Ultrasound is commonly known as sonography, uses high frequency sound waves and a computer to generate pictures of internal organs as they function. Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate organs such as the abdomen, female pelvis, breasts, thyroid, scrotum, and vascular system. Ultrasound is a common diagnostic procedure without any known dangers or side effects because it does not require radiation, contrast or anesthesia. The patients experience little or no discomfort.
