Ultrasound During Pregnancy - Glossary

Glossary

Ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.

Pregnancy: Growth of an embryo/fetus in the uterus.

Fetus: Term for an unborn baby from the end of the 8th week after conception until birth.

Placenta: It is part of the fetus and supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.

Miscarriage: A miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Cervix: Neck like structure, opening towards the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancy: Pregnancy occurring in an abnormal position outside the uterus.

Amniotic fluid: Amniotic fluid is a liquid that surrounds and bathes the fetus.

Echocardiography: A procedure that uses ultrasonic waves directed over the chest wall to obtain a graphic record of the heart''s position, motion of the walls, or internal parts such as the valves.

Congenital defects: Problems or conditions that are present at birth.

Multiple Pregnancies: The presence of more than one foetus in the uterus, such as occurs with twins

Transvaginal Ultrasound: Sound waves sent out by a probe inserted in the vagina. The waves bounce off the ovaries, and a computer uses the echoes to create a picture called a sonogram. Also called TVS.

Sonogram: The image produced by ultrasound.