What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound, sonogram and vascular ultrasound turn up in the same searches. This page puts the plain term first and then separates it from the look-alikes.

The definition

medlineplus.gov states: "An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to make pictures (also known as a sonogram) of organs, tissues, and other structures inside your body."

So a sonogram is another name for the picture an ultrasound makes. The test itself uses sound waves.

Where it shows up in vein and artery care

The diagnosis pages from NHLBI, NIH on venous thromboembolism, peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm each describe how one condition is identified. Reading all three side by side shows how the look-alike conditions differ.

The follow-up question

The definition leaves open whether the test is safe and whether it needs preparation. Both questions have their own pages here, and residents of Tinley Park can carry either to the office that books their scan.