Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography or ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive technique used in medical diagnostics. It is often used to examine body parts such as the shoulder or knee, monitor fetal development during pregnancy, or diagnose and monitor tumor progression.

Unlike other imaging techniques, ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images of structures inside the body.

In a typical ultrasonography procedure, gel is applied to the transducer, which is then placed on the area under study. This creates an acoustic seal allowing better transmission of the sound waves between the transducer and the skin.

The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves, typically between 2 to 18 megahertz, depending on the specific imaging needs and the depth and location of the structures being examined. Some of these waves that echo or reflect from the internal structure are received by the transducer.

The time taken for the reflected waves to reach the transducer and the distance from the transducer to the tissue boundary helps build the anatomical image called a sonogram.