Ultrasound vs. Sonogram

I thought a Sonogram and ultrasound were the same thing.  I called the Dr. yesterday to see if I need to have a full bladder for my up comming sono/ultrasound.  The nurse told me no beacuse it is a sonogram not an ultrasound.  So I looked up online the difference.  I can not find one!  Is that nurse crazy or am I?

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I thought they were the same as well.  I do know that vor a vaginal us they want your bladder empty.  And certain abdominal machines do not require you to drink water.

[tina1111]

I looked it up some time ago. It seems to me ultrasound was the name of the test and sonogram was the picture/printout. I could be wrong. Going from memory.

[specialteacher]

To the best of my understanding they are the same thing.  I did read you need a full bladder for a external US and it doesn't matter about your bladder for a vaginal US.

[Hulahut]

Hmph.  I thought they were the same thing.  In fact, to my knowledge, there is no such thing as an ultrasoundographer, but there is a sonographer who does the ultrasound/sonogram.  That's strange.  I was always told to have an empty bladder for both the internal and abdominal scans (how about "scan"?) :)  Anyway, though, I do hear that it depends on the dr's equipment, your size and some other things, too, that may dictate whether or not a dr. wants a full or empty bladder for the scan.  Hope this helps.