medicine Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pr ...

, a sound (), also called a sonde (), is an instrument for probing and dilating passages within the body, the best-known examples of which are

urethra The urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ''ourḗthrā'') is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body of both females and males. In human females and other primates, the urethra ...

l sounds and

uterine The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The ...

sounds.

Urethral sounds

Urethral sounds are designed to be inserted into the male or female urethra, for the purpose of stretching or unblocking a

stricture Stricture may refer to: * stricture (medicine), a narrowing of a tubular structure,. ** esophageal stricture A benign esophageal stricture, or peptic stricture, is a narrowing or tightening of the esophagus that causes swallowing difficulties. ...

. There are a number of different types of urethral sounds: * Bakes sounds, also known as rosebud or bullet sounds, have a long thin metal rod with a bulbous bud on the end. * Dittel sounds have a flat end and a rounded end. * Hank sounds have a more pronounced curve at the ends, as well as a metal rib on each end. * Pratt sounds are longer urethral dilators (double ended ones are usually almost a foot long) with rounded and slightly bent ends. * Van Buren sounds have very pronounced tips and applicators

Uterine sounds

These sounds are intended for probing a woman's uterus through the

cervix The cervix or cervix uteri (Latin, 'neck of the uterus') is the lower part of the uterus (womb) in the human female reproductive system. The cervix is usually 2 to 3 cm long (~1 inch) and roughly cylindrical in shape, which changes during ...

, to measure the length and direction of the cervical canal and uterus. Dilators are primarily used to open and dilate the cervix to gain access to the uterine cavity, but can also be used as sounds. Uterine sounding may be performed prior to

embryo transfer Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of assisted reproduction in which embryos are placed into the uterus of a female with the intent to establish a pregnancy. This technique (which is often used in connection with in vitro fertilizati ...

to determine the uterine depth and how easily an embryo transfer catheter can be passed through the cervix. In this case, it may also be called a ''trial transfer''. It is performed prior to insertion of an

intrauterine device An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD or ICD) or coil, is a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are one form of long-acting revers ...

(IUD) in order to measure the length and direction of the cervical canal and uterus. This reduces the risk of perforating the uterus with the IUD. This may occur when the IUD is inserted too deeply or at the wrong angle.About.com > What To Expect During an IUD Insertion (ParaGard IUD or Mirena IUD)
By Dawn Stacey M.Ed. Updated December 22, 2009 Different types of Uterine sounds include the following: *

Hegar dilators Hegar dilators are dilators used to treat vaginismus, induce cervical dilation, and for inflatable penile implant procedures. Description Hegar dilators were developed and introduced by Alfred Hegar in 1879 originally for use in the field of G ...

have two rounded ends, are fairly short, and are mildly curved in shape. * Sims sounds have a flat end and a rounded end.

Urethral sounds

Uterine sounds

See also

Notes

References

External links