Definition

Ultrasonography is a diagnostic technique that involves directing high frequency sound waves at tissues in the body to generate images of anatomical structures. Ultrasonography is also called sonography, diagnostic sonography, and echocardiography when it is used to image the heart.

Purpose

Ultrasonography has a variety of uses in medical diagnostics. It is most well suited for imaging soft tissues that are solid and uniform or filled with fluid. It does not perform well when imaging calcified objects such as bone or objects filled with air like the bowel. Some of the more common uses for ultrasonography include imaging fetus development during pregnancy, diagnosing gallbladder disease and some forms of cancer, and evaluating abnormalities in the scrotum and prostate, heart, and thyroid gland. Ultrasound can also be used to perform breast exams. A technique called Doppler imaging ultrasonography can...