Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that uses sound waves to produce images of structures within the body. It is a valuable tool for diagnosing and directing treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions. Ultrasound imaging is generally non-invasive and there are no known risks. Some common uses of ultrasound include:

• Diagnostic imaging: Ultrasound can be used to examine internal body structures, such as abdominal and pelvic organs, muscles and tendons, or the heart and blood vessels. It is best used to learn about conditions that involve soft tissues, such as organs, glands, and blood vessels. Diagnostic ultrasound may be used if you have signs or symptoms of a problem, and an ultrasound may help diagnose or rule out possible causes.

• Pregnancy: Ultrasound is commonly used to monitor fetal development during pregnancy. It can be used to check the size, position, heart rate, and age of the unborn baby, and to screen for genetic disorders or birth defects.

• Guiding procedures: Ultrasound can be used to guide needle placement to sample fluid or tissue from the body. It is also used to monitor and guide invasive procedures like a biopsy of a person’s breast or thyroid gland.

Ultrasound has some limitations. Sound waves dont travel well through air or bone, so ultrasound isnt effective at imaging body parts that have gas in them or are hidden by bone, such as the lungs or head. Ultrasound may also be unable to see objects that are located very deep in the human body. To view these areas, other imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans or X-rays may be ordered.