What type of waves are typically used in sonography to form images?

In sonography, sound waves are utilized to create images of the body's internal structures. Specifically, high-frequency sound waves, often referred to as ultrasound waves, are emitted through a transducer. When these sound waves encounter different tissues in the body, they are reflected back to the transducer at varying degrees depending on the tissue's density and composition. These reflections are then processed to generate detailed images of organs, blood flow, and other internal features.

The choice of sound waves is pivotal because they can penetrate the body while being safe and non-invasive, making them ideal for diagnostic imaging. The frequency of the sound waves used in sonography typically ranges from 2 to 18 megahertz, which allows providers to obtain high-resolution images with good detail.

Understanding the properties of sound waves, such as their capability to transmit through various mediums, is essential for effectively employing sonography in medical diagnostics. Since sound waves are mechanical in nature, they require a medium to travel through, which is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from electromagnetic waves, light waves, and other forms of waves that do not interact in the same manner with biological tissues.