ultrasonic scanning

medicine

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

In medicine, ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, above human hearing, to create images of internal body structures. This technology, used since the 1940s, works by sending sound waves into the body and interpreting the echoes that bounce back from tissues of different densities.12

Ultrasound is favored because it is less potentially harmful than X-rays and is quick and relatively inexpensive. It is commonly used to monitor fetal development during pregnancy, check for abnormalities, and visualize organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, and gallbladder. It can also help diagnose tumors and guide medical procedures. While not as precise as CAT scans or MRIs, ultrasound's safety and affordability make it a valuable diagnostic tool.12

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ultrasonics
Diagnosis
Ultrasonic scanning in medical diagnosis uses the same principle as sonar. Pulses of high-frequency ultrasound, generally above one megahertz, are created by a piezoelectric transducer and directed into the body. As the ultrasound traverses various internal organs, it encounters changes in acoustic impedance, which cause…
Read More
Ultrasonic scanning in medical diagnosis uses the same principle as sonar. Pulses of high-frequency ultrasound, generally above one megahertz, are created by a piezoelectric transducer and directed into the body. As the ultrasound traverses various internal organs, it encounters changes in acoustic impedance, which cause…
Read More