Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including but not limited to the:

• Heart and blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta and its major branches
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Spleen
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Bladder
• Uterus, ovaries and unborn child (fetus) in pregnant patients
• Eyes
• Thyroid and parathyroid glands
• Scrotum (testicles)