Final answer:
Ultrasound utilizes sound waves in a manner analogous to how thermal imaging employs heat, to construct images safely and non-invasively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ultrasound uses sound waves to image different materials and structures within the body, similar to how thermal imaging uses heat to create an image. Unlike other medical imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and PET scans that use radiation or magnets, ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive method and is widely used in medical settings, including monitoring pregnancies. The technology is based on the reflection and transmission of a wave at a boundary, like between bone and muscle or muscle and fat, to create an image.