Abdominal ultrasound

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Abdominal Ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound (pronunciation: ab-dom-in-al ul-tra-sound) is a type of medical imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the organs, tissues, and other structures in the abdomen.

Etymology

The term "abdominal" is derived from the Latin word "abdomen," which means "belly." The term "ultrasound" comes from the Latin words "ultra," meaning "beyond," and "sound," referring to the sound waves used in this procedure that are beyond the range of human hearing.

Procedure

During an abdominal ultrasound, a device called a transducer is used to send sound waves into the body. These sound waves bounce off the organs and tissues in the abdomen, and the echoes are then converted into images by a computer. The images can be viewed on a monitor and are often recorded for further analysis.

Uses

Abdominal ultrasound is used to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions and diseases, including gallstones, kidney stones, liver disease, pancreatitis, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. It can also be used to guide procedures such as biopsies and drainages.

Related Terms

  • Medical Imaging: The process of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention.
  • Transducer: A device that converts variations in a physical quantity, such as pressure or brightness, into an electrical signal, or vice versa.
  • Gallstones: Hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can cause abdominal pain and other symptoms.
  • Kidney Stones: Hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.
  • Liver Disease: A type of damage to or disease of the liver.
  • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas.
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: An enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body.
  • Biopsy: A medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or an interventional cardiologist involving extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease.
  • Drainage: The removal of fluids or discharges from the body, such as from a wound, sore, or the ear.

External links

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