The Fetal Skeletal System
The Fetal Skeletal System INTRODUCTION Ultrasound in the first trimester provides a distinct advantage over ultrasound in the second and third trimester of pregnancy for the evaluation of the fetal…
The Fetal Central Nervous System
The Fetal Central Nervous System INTRODUCTION The evaluation of the fetal central nervous system (CNS) is an important aspect of ultrasound in the first trimester given that several major malformations,…
The Fetal Gastrointestinal System
The Fetal Gastrointestinal System INTRODUCTION Ultrasound examination of the fetal abdomen in the first trimester includes the assessment of abdominal organs from the diaphragm superiorly to the genitalia inferiorly. This…
The Fetal Heart and Great Vessels
The Fetal Heart and Great Vessels INTRODUCTION Fetal cardiac examination in the first trimester focuses in general on the evaluation of body situs, the four chambers, and the great vessels…
The Fetal Face and Neck
The Fetal Face and Neck INTRODUCTION Visualization of the fetal face and neck in early gestation is an important aspect of the ultrasound examination as it has been incorporated in…
Placenta and Umbilical Cord
Placenta and Umbilical Cord INTRODUCTION The placenta is a highly specialized organ that supports growth and development of the fetus and serves as the interface between the maternal and fetal…
The Fetal Urogenital System
The Fetal Urogenital System INTRODUCTION The first trimester examination of the fetal urogenital system primarily focuses on the demonstration of a fluid-filled bladder. When technically feasible or in specific high-risk…
The Fetal Chest
The Fetal Chest INTRODUCTION The examination of the fetal chest in the first trimester includes the assessment of the right and left lung, the bony and cartilaginous thoracic cage, the…
First Trimester Screening for Chromosomal Aneuploidies
First Trimester Screening for Chromosomal Aneuploidies INTRODUCTION The incidence of fetal numerical chromosomal aneuploidies such as trisomy 21 (T21; Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (T18; Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (T13;…
The Detailed First Trimester Ultrasound Examination
The Detailed First Trimester Ultrasound Examination INTRODUCTION The role of the ultrasound examination in the first trimester has changed over the last 30 years with the introduction of nuchal translucency…
