Editing Ultrasound (section)

===Human medicine===
[[Medical ultrasound]] is an ultrasound-based diagnostic [[medical imaging]] technique used to visualize muscles, tendons, and many internal organs to capture their size, structure and any pathological [[lesion]]s with real time tomographic images. Ultrasound has been used by [[radiologist]]s and [[sonographer]]s to image the human body for at least 50 years and has become a widely used diagnostic tool.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rathbun |first1=Kimberly M. |last2=Patel |first2=Arjun N. |last3=Jackowski |first3=Jacob R. |last4=Parrish |first4=Matthew T. |last5=Hatfield |first5=Ryan M. |last6=Powell |first6=Tyler E. |date=2023-04-19 |title=Incorporating ultrasound training into undergraduate medical education in a faculty-limited setting |journal=BMC Medical Education |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=263 |doi=10.1186/s12909-023-04227-y |doi-access=free |issn=1472-6920 |pmc=10113991 |pmid=37076831}}</ref> The technology is relatively inexpensive and portable, especially when compared with other techniques, such as [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) and [[computed tomography]] (CT). Ultrasound is also used to visualize fetuses during routine and emergency [[prenatal care]]. Such diagnostic applications used during [[pregnancy]] are referred to as [[Obstetric ultrasonography|obstetric sonography]]. As currently applied in the medical field, properly performed ultrasound poses no known risks to the patient.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hangiandreou NJ | title = AAPM/RSNA physics tutorial for residents. Topics in US: B-mode US: basic concepts and new technology | journal = Radiographics | volume = 23 | issue = 4 | pages = 1019–33 | year = 2003 | pmid = 12853678 | doi = 10.1148/rg.234035034 }}</ref> Sonography does not use [[ionizing radiation]], and the power levels used for imaging are too low to cause adverse heating or pressure effects in tissue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emittingproducts/radiationemittingproductsandprocedures/medicalimaging/ucm115357.htm|title=Medical Imaging{{Snd}} Ultrasound Imaging| author = Center for Devices and Radiological Health |website=www.fda.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ter Haar G | title = Ultrasonic imaging: safety considerations | journal = Interface Focus | volume = 1 | issue = 4 | pages = 686–97 | date = August 2011 | pmid = 22866238 | pmc = 3262273 | doi = 10.1098/rsfs.2011.0029 }}</ref> Although the long-term effects due to ultrasound exposure at diagnostic intensity are still unknown,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/ucm115357.htm | title = FDA Radiological Health{{Snd}} Ultrasound Imaging | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150703170404/https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/ucm115357.htm |archive-date = 2015-07-03 | publisher = United States Food and Drug Administration | date = 2011-09-06 | access-date = 2011-11-13 }}</ref> currently most doctors feel that the benefits to patients outweigh the risks.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aium.org/patient/aboutexam/safety.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070221101616/http://www.aium.org/patient/aboutexam/safety.asp | archive-date = 2007-02-21 | title = Patient Information{{Snd}} Ultrasound Safety | publisher = American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine }}</ref> The ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle has been advocated for an ultrasound examination{{Snd}} that is, keeping the scanning time and power settings as low as possible but consistent with diagnostic imaging{{Snd}} and that by that principle nonmedical uses, which by definition are not necessary, are actively discouraged.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aium.org/resources/guidelines.aspx | title = American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine practice guidelines | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150701090209/http://www.aium.org/resources/guidelines.aspx | archive-date = 2015-07-01 | publisher = American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine | access-date = 2015-07-01 }}</ref>

Ultrasound is also increasingly being used in trauma and first aid cases, with [[emergency ultrasound]] being used by some EMT response teams. Furthermore, ultrasound is used in remote diagnosis cases where [[teleconsultation]] is required, such as scientific experiments in space or mobile sports team diagnosis.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.epiphan.com/solutions_new/?arid=1082 | title = DistanceDoc and MedRecorder: New Approach to Remote Ultrasound Imaging Solutions | publisher = Epiphan Systems | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110214122805/http://www.epiphan.com/solutions_new/?arid=1082 | archive-date = 2011-02-14 }}</ref>

According to RadiologyInfo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pelvus&bhcp=1|title=Ultrasound Imaging of the Pelvis|work=radiologyinfo.org|access-date=2008-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625070931/http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pelvus&bhcp=1|archive-date=2008-06-25|url-status=live}}</ref> ultrasounds are useful in the detection of [[human pelvis|pelvic]] abnormalities and can involve techniques known as [[Abdomen|abdominal]] (transabdominal) ultrasound, [[vagina]]l (transvaginal or endovaginal) ultrasound in women, and also [[Rectum|rectal]] (transrectal) ultrasound in men.