Importance
The stomach is the portion of the digestive system that deals with breaking down food. The lower sphincter of the esophagus in the upper part of the stomach regulates the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach and prevents the contents of the stomach from returning to the esophagus. The pyloric sphincter in the lower stomach manages the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine.
The importance of this organ resides in that in it the food bolus is transformed thanks to the gastric juices of a semi-solid state to a liquid, facilitating its passage to the small intestine and allowing digestion.
Is a safe and painless examination in which sound waves are used to obtain images of the abdomen.
During the study, sound waves are sent to the abdomen and the images are recorded on a machine. These images show the internal structures of the abdomen, such as the appendix, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and urinary bladder.
The complete abdominal ultrasound allows us to evaluate all the abdominal organs. A limited ultrasound of the abdomen evaluates one or more organs, but not all of them.
How the test is performed
The patient must remain lying down for the procedure. A conductive gel is applied to the skin over the abdomen. Then a manual probe called a transducer is passed over the abdomen.
Ultrasounds can help determine the following specific conditions:
- appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
- pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the lower stomach, which blocks the passage of food from the stomach into the intestines)
- kidney or gallbladder stones
- abdominal masses such as tumors, cysts, or abscesses
- abnormal fluids in the abdomen
An abdominal ultrasound may be performed to create images of the gallbladder that may reveal signs of cholecystitis or analysis in the bile ducts and gallbladder.