What is Sonography?
What is Sonography?
Sonography Canada defines diagnostic ultrasound as a medical investigation which uses high frequency sound waves, (ultrasound). These sound waves develop ultrasound images, which are used to assess organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body.
How Does an Ultrasound Exam Work?
During an ultrasound examination, a sonographer uses an instrument called a transducer or probe on a patient over the area of the body under investigation. When this happens, the probe emits high-frequency sound which is inaudible to the human ear. As the probe is moved around it records echoes as the sound waves bounce back to the ultrasound machine to determine the size, shape and consistency of soft tissues and organs. While this happens, the information is relayed in real time to produce images on a computer screen.
Ultrasound exams provide key diagnostic information to doctors about a patient’s medical condition and assist in their treatment and care. Diagnostic medical ultrasounds are ordered by doctors, performed by sonographers and interpreted and reported by a radiologist or other medical specialist with expertise in the field of ultrasound. Sonographers are medical professionals, specially trained to perform these tests.
For more information on how plan for and what to expect during an ultrasound exam, please click here.
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