Medical sonography or medical ultrasonography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic medical imaging technique being utilized to envisage the tendons, muscles, and various internal organs, their structures, sizes, and pathological lesions, if any. It is also being operated to picture a fetus during routine and emergency prenatal care. Sonographer is the person responsible for the utilization of ultrasound scans. Ultrasonography is commonly known to be a “safe test” because it does not use ionizing radiation that imposes perils such as chromosome breakage and cancer production. Nevertheless, the ultrasound energy being released through the process has two physiological effects: 1. It heats up soft tissue, and 2. It boosts inflammatory response. The ultrasound energy generates an involuntary pressure wave through the soft tissues. The said pressure wave causes microscopic effervesces in living tissues and deformation of the cell membrane inducing ion fluxes and intracellular activity. When ultrasound energy penetrates the body, it triggers molecular friction and heats the tissues to some extent. In several cases, it can also generate small compartments of gases inside the body fluids or tissues causing cavitation. The long-standing consequences of cavitation are not exactly known. Nonetheless, many national and international organizations regard ultrasound as a “risky test” and should not be used in high risk pregnancies.

Different types of ultrasound scan Rectal ultrasound Rectal ultrasound is the one being performed when a person is having a prostate gland. The patient should have had a bowel movement beforehand so the rectum is empty at the scheduled time to perform ultrasound scanning. The ultrasound instrument is inserted into the patient’s rectum to have an unmistakable view of the prostate. It is uncomfortable, but should not be painful. This type of scan usually takes a short time. Vaginal ultrasound Vaginal ultrasound is being performed to look at the ovaries or part of the womb. The sonographer or a doctor inserts an ultrasound instrument into the vagina so that the ovaries can be viewed in the monitor. This type of scan happens in a short span of time. The patient will be asked to lie on her back with her knees bent and legs apart (as if you were having a smear test or an internal examination). The patient may also be able to lie on her side with her knees drawn up to her chest. This may be uncomfortable but should not hurt. Endoscopic ultrasound Endoscopic ultrasound is a combination of having an endoscopy and an ultrasound. This is the kind of test that is being is used to view the wall of the esophagus or stomach. While the patient is having an endoscopy, an ultrasound probe will be placed through the endoscope. It will be the same as having a regular endoscopy. Obstetric sonography Obstetric sonography is usually used during pregnancy and is widely recognized by the public. There are plethora of diagnostic and therapeutic applications practiced in medicine. Ultrasound is used habitually in obstetric appointments during pregnancy. However, its use for non-medical purposes such as fetal keepsake videos and photos are being daunted even though it is the same technology used in hospitals.