Ultrasound is a safe, painless diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to see specific areas within the body. It uses the same echo-locating principles of sonar technology employed for decades by ships at sea.

Sound waves directed into the body produce echoing waves as they bounce against the internal fluids of the human body. The echoes are captured and reconstructed by a sophisticated computer software into live images on the computer monitor.

The primary benefit of ultrasound is its ability to generate highly-detailed images without being invasive and without using radiation. Because it is considered so safe and simple, ultrasound has become the diagnostic tool of choice to examine the well-being of unborn children as well as many other specific exams.