Ultrasound

Introduction

This page links to all ultrasound movies of live normal human embryos. Ultrasound imaging began in the 1950's but it was only with the application of computer analysis beginning in the 1980's that more detailed images could be generated.

Parents now commonly see ultrasound movies or images in the first trimester and clinically this is a non-invasive prenatal diagnostic tool for detection of abnormalities as well as a method of staging (ageing) and checking growth. Ultrasound can also be used in combination with other techniques to locate both embryo and placenta for other prenatal tests (More? prenatal diagnosis).

The ultrasound technique can be used at any stage during pregnancy for embryo and placenta monitoring (More? about ultrasound). The ultrasound movies can be viewed in two ways. Firstly, click the image or text link opens a new page with both the movie and a more detailed text description of features. Secondly, clicking on the quicktime link will open the movie alone on a new page. At the bottom of this current page is further ultrasound information and links to internet ultrasound sites.

Abnormal developmental ultrasound and features are listed on a separate page (More? abnormal ultrasound) all content is for educational use only.

Special thanks to Dr Andrew McLennan, Foetal Medicine Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital for the original video materials.

Some Recent Findings

Picone O, Simon I, Benachi A, Brunelle F, Sonigo P. Comparison between ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of fetal cytomegalovirus infection. Prenat Diagn. 2008 Jun 13. PMID: 18551722

"MRI can provide important additional information with regard to abnormal gyration, cerebellar hypoplasia, or abnormal signal in white matter. It is certainly useful in the assessment of fetuses with extracerebral features without brain abnormalities detected with ultrasounds. If the fetal ultrasound is strictly normal in an infected fetus, MRI may not detect brain anomalies; however, it seems difficult to not perform this noninvasive procedure."