By; Greg Yeager & Brandi Harnish January 19th, 2023
What is an Ultrasound?
NONINVASIVE, QUICK, AND NO RADIATION!!
An ultrasound is an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images. The machine has many different probes that give off different megahurts of sound waves, which are given out through crystals inside the probe. These soundwaves penetrate the organs throughout their density. Since each organ has different densities, they show up as different colors of white/grey. When doing an Ultrasound on a patient, the doctor uses a gel to control the sound waves and allow for the probe to make good contact with the skin.
Ultrasounds are perfect for minor examinations, and to rule out certain problems since the Ultrasound isn't super detailed, it cannot be used as a determining diagnosis tool. Ultrasounds are also good for pregnant women because of the lack of radiation. They can also be used to see if any foreign masses are fluid-filled or tissue filled.
The only downside to ultrasounds is that they cannot see through air or patches of air, therefore you cannot see inside the intestines. Also, all bone is too dense for the soundwaves to penetrate, therefore you cannot see inside them.
USES:
View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy and monitor the developing baby's health
Diagnose gallbladder disease
Evaluate blood flow
Guide a needle for biopsy or tumor treatment
Examine a breast lump
Check the thyroid gland
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