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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffUltrasound examination, also called sonography or diagnostic medical sonography, is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures within your body. The images produced during an ultrasound examination often provide information that's valuable in diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions.
Most ultrasound examinations are done using a sonar device outside of your body, though some ultrasound examinations involve placing a device inside your body.
Despite its valuable uses, ultrasound can't provide images of all areas of your body. But there are several other imaging alternatives.
- Taking a close look at ultrasound. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM095487.pdf. Accessed Nov. 7, 2009.
- General ultrasound imaging. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=genus. Accessed Nov. 7, 2009.
- Important questions to ask about the quality of your imaging examination. American College of Radiology. http://www.acr.org/MainMenuCategories/PatientInfo/ImportantQuestions.aspx. Accessed Nov. 7, 2009.
