Fig. 16.

Systematic scanning procedure for the colon The recommended schematic procedure is shown. The colon and rectum are sequentially assessed, starting from the axial view of the ascending colon. To identify the ascending colon, its location needs to be confirmed; it is located in the outermost and backmost area on the right side of the abdominal cavity. Then, scanning proceeds to the cecum, identified by the blind end, and the terminal ileum and Bauhin’s valve can be identified. Then, scanning continues by returning the probe to the hepatic flexure (HF). The transverse colon can be identified by a sagittal scan on the midline caudal to the gastric antrum. From the midline, the transverse colon can be traced to the HF and then to the splenic flexure (SPF). As the SPF is located deeper on the dorsal side, deep inhalation or the right decubitus position may be required to observe it. The descending colon is identified on the left-back side. Finally, the colon is traced from the sigmoid colon to the rectum, which is visualized through the urinary bladder