Blood flow refers to the movement of blood through arteries, veins, and capillaries throughout the body. In sonography, Doppler ultrasound is the primary tool for evaluating blood flow, using the principle that sound waves change frequency when they bounce off moving red blood cells. Color Doppler maps the direction and relative speed of flow across an area, while spectral Doppler provides detailed velocity measurements at a specific point. Assessing blood flow is fundamental to many ultrasound examinations, from detecting blockages in carotid arteries to evaluating heart valve function to confirming blood supply to transplanted organs.
Sonography Term