Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves to capture images and videos of the inside of the body. Abdominal ultrasounds help your doctor see the organs and structures inside the abdomen. Ultrasound images are captured in real-time. They’re able to show the structure and movement of internal organs as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. This test is the most commonly used one to view and examine the fetus in pregnant women, but it has many other clinical uses as well. Why is an Abdominal Ultrasound Performed? Abdominal ultrasounds are used to check the major organs in the abdominal cavity. These organs include the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and spleen. In fact, if you’re a man between the ages of 65 and 75 and smokes or used to smoke, then you should have an abdominal ultrasound test to check for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. If your doctor suspects you have any one of these other conditions, an abdominal ultrasound may be in your near future: • blood clot •...