Transvaginal ultrasound


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Transvaginal ultrasound


Transvaginal ultrasound is a test that uses reflected sound waves to produce a picture of the reproductive organs and other structures inside the pelvis. It does not use X-rays or other types of radiation.

For a transvaginal ultrasound, an ultrasound wand (transducer) is placed in the vagina. The transducer emits high-pitched sound waves (above the range of human hearing) that bounce off the uterus and ovaries and are picked up again by the transducer. A computer analyzes the sound waves and converts them into a picture that is displayed on a video monitor. The picture produced by ultrasound is called a sonogram, echogram, or scan.

Credits


Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

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Last updated: May 25, 2007
Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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