What is the primary function of ultrasound in medical imaging?

The primary function of ultrasound in medical imaging is to visualize soft tissues and organs using high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasound technology operates by emitting high-frequency sound waves that are transmitted into the body. These sound waves bounce off various structures, and the returning echoes are collected to create images on a monitor.

This imaging modality is particularly effective for visualizing soft tissues, such as muscles, the heart, and organs like the liver, kidneys, and bladder, since they do not exhibit the same density as hard tissues like bones. This allows healthcare providers to examine the internal structures of the body in real time, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning without exposing patients to ionizing radiation, which is a crucial advantage of ultrasound.

The other options refer to functions that ultrasound does not primarily serve. While ultrasound can indirectly assist in measuring blood flow (more related to Doppler ultrasound), its primary objective is imaging soft tissue structures rather than conveying information about hard tissues, delivering radiation, or focusing solely on blood flow.