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Ultrasound

Test Overview

An ultrasound is a type of imaging test that uses sound waves. It takes pictures of the organs and other structures in your body. It can be used in different areas such as the belly, the pelvis, or the arms and legs.

During the test, a small, handheld device called a transducer is gently passed back and forth over the area being looked at. The device sends the sound waves to a computer, which turns them into a picture. This picture is shown on a video screen. The picture produced by ultrasound is called a sonogram, an echogram, or a scan. Pictures or videos of the ultrasound images may be saved and reviewed later.

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Why It Is Done

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.