An ultrasound, or sonogram, is a painless, noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce images of your body's organs or the blood flow through your veins and arteries. During the exam, a transducer sends sound waves into your body. These waves bounce off the organs and structures inside your body, creating echoes that the transducer picks up and converts into images using an ultrasound machine.
Because ultrasound uses sound waves, there's no radiation exposure. At UPMC, we use the most up-to-date ultrasound technology. Our highly trained imaging technologists are experts at assessing and capturing high-quality ultrasound images.
What Is Ultrasound Imaging?
An ultrasound, or sonogram, is a painless, noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce images of your body's organs, as well as the blood flow through your veins and arteries.
Ultrasound machines consist of a:
- Computer.
- Transducer — A small, handheld device that scans the body.
- Video display screen.
During the exam, the transducer sends sound waves into your body. These waves bounce off the organs and structures inside your body, creating echoes that the transducer detects. The ultrasound machine then converts these echoes into images.
Types of ultrasound exams
There are several types of ultrasounds that can be performed on different areas of your body, including:
- Abdominal ultrasound — Looks for disorders of the liver, gallbladder, intestines, pancreas, bladder, or spleen.
- Breast ultrasound — Looks for tumors or other abnormalities in breast tissue.
- Gynecologic (pelvic) ultrasound — Identifies abnormalities in a female’s pelvic area and can be performed by passing the transducer over your abdomen or inserting it into your vagina.
- Obstetric ultrasound — Performed during pregnancy to help your doctor determine the size, shape, and position of an unborn baby and diagnose maternal-fetal health conditions.
- Renal (kidney) ultrasound — Looks for problems with your kidneys, such as kidney stones, tumors, cysts, or other abnormalities.
- Scrotal ultrasound — Evaluates testicular disorders, such as absent or undescended testicle, tumors, pain, or infertility.
- Thyroid ultrasound — Checks for problems with your thyroid gland in your neck.
- Vascular ultrasound — Checks for problems with your blood vessels, such as aneurysms, blocked arteries, blood clots, or hardening of your arteries.
Conditions we diagnose with ultrasound
Our team uses ultrasound to diagnose conditions including:
Why Would I Need An Ultrasound?
You may need an ultrasound to:
- Learn how far along you are in a pregnancy.
- See the size, shape, and position of a developing baby.
- Detect tumors or other defects in organs or tissues.
- Look at your abdominal and reproductive organs, the bladder, thyroid, breasts, and blood vessels in the neck, arms, and legs.
- Guide biopsies of the breasts, thyroid, lymph nodes, and other organs.
Who’s a candidate for ultrasound imaging?
Most people are candidates for ultrasound imaging, which is painless, noninvasive, and does not use radiation.
Alternatives to ultrasound imaging
What Are the Risks and Complications of Ultrasound Imaging?
There are no known risks associated with ultrasound imaging.
What are the benefits of ultrasound imaging?
Benefits of ultrasound imaging include:
- Can be used during pregnancy.
- Noninvasive and painless.
- No exposure to radiation.
- Provides real-time images that can guide tests and procedures.
- Shows blood flow and movement of organs.
What Should I Expect From Ultrasound Imaging?
Before: How to prepare for ultrasound imaging
Ultrasound exams require little preparation.
However, your doctor may recommend that you:
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may need to change into a gown for the test.
- Do not chew gum or smoke for six hours before the scan.
For some types of ultrasound exams, you may need to:
- Fast (not eat or drink) for as many as 12 hours before your appointment.
- Drink up to six glasses of water two hours prior to your exam. Avoid peeing so you have a full bladder for the scan.
Your doctor will provide specific instructions on how to prepare, if necessary.
How long does ultrasound imaging take?
Ultrasound imaging takes 45 to 60 minutes.
During your ultrasound
An ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive exam, so you will not need any type of anesthesia. You will be asked to lie down on an exam table near the ultrasound machine.
During the test, your ultrasound technologist will:
- Apply a gel on the skin over the part of your body they're scanning.
- Move the handheld transducer over parts of the body at different angles.
- Look at the ultrasound images on the nearby video display screen.
- Take and record measurements for your doctor to review.
If you have an obstetric ultrasound, your technologist will:
- Attempt to determine the sex of your baby, if you want to know.
- Provide you with pictures of your baby.
- Record a few minutes of your exam on video.
Recovery after ultrasound
You can resume your normal activities immediately after your ultrasound.
When to call your doctor about complications
You should not experience any complications after your ultrasound. However, if symptoms continue or become severe, you should dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Why Choose UPMC for Ultrasound Imaging?
When you choose UPMC for ultrasound imaging, you will receive:
- Access to advanced imaging technology — Our experts use the latest imaging technology to quickly and accurately diagnose a full range of health conditions.
- Convenient imaging services — Imaging appointments are available at multiple locations with hours that fit your schedule.
- Multidisciplinary care — We partner with OB/GYN, vascular, gastrointestinal, kidney, urology, endocrine, breast, and other medical specialists to screen for and diagnose all types of disorders.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-08-28.
