The term "ultrasound" is a broad term, whereas a "pelvic scan" is a specific application of ultrasound technology. A pelvic scan is a type of ultrasound.
To clarify, let's break this down further:
- Ultrasound: This refers to the technology itself. It uses sound waves to create images of structures inside the body. Ultrasounds can be used to examine many different body parts.
- Pelvic Ultrasound/Scan: This is a specific type of ultrasound exam focused on imaging the organs in the pelvic area, including those between the abdomen (belly) and legs and potentially the lower abdomen, according to the reference. It's used to visualize organs like the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and prostate, depending on whether the patient is male or female.
In summary, all pelvic scans are ultrasounds, but not all ultrasounds are pelvic scans. A pelvic scan is just one specific application of ultrasound technology, targeting a particular region of the body. Because of the ultrasound's safety and quickness, it is available at most imaging centers and some doctor's offices.
