Sonography Terminology

These are some terms you may encounter on our web site or while researching the profession of a medical sonographer.

Accredited college - An approved college from which Loma Linda University accepts transfer students.

Admission requirements – A checklist of requirements that must be met before being considered for the program.

Application fee - Fee required to process application.  Currently $60.

Associate's degree - A two-year associate of science or associate of arts degree from an accredited community college or university.

Cardiac - Pertaining to the heart and heart region.

Career observation requirement – Eight hours of clinic time spent observing sonography procedures.

Clinical site - A contracted facility with whom we hold an affiliate agreement and that welcomes LLU students.

LLUMC - Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda CA.

Prerequisite - A college course that is required before you enter the program.

RDMS Credential - Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Performs examinations of internal organs and assist in the diagnosis of normal and abnormal conditions in children and pregnant women. Ultrasound physics and one specialty must be successfully passed in order to earn RDMS credentials.

RDCS Credential - Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer. Skilled in delivering diagnostic images to help assess cardiac conditions and disease processes.

RVT Credential - Registered Vascular Technologist. A skilled professional who performs a variety of non-invasive exams to help assess arteries and veins throughout the body.

SAHP - School of Allied Health Professions.

Sonography - A technique in which high-frequency sound waves are bounced off internal organs and the echo pattern is converted into a two-dimensional picture of the structures beneath the transducer.

Ultrasound - A type of imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves.

Vascular - Pertaining to blood vessels or indicative of a copious blood supply.