Ultrasonic vs x-ray (for medical applications)

Question

What are the differences between using x-rays and ultrasounds for medical diagnosis?
From a physical point of view I am aware that x-rays are able to reach deeper into the material - but I think this is just a matter of power in case of ultrasounds, or? As it is for x-rays as well.
The physics behind both principles is quite different as ultrasounds are mechanical waves propagating through matter while x-rays are electromagnetic waves.
In case of the latter, the absorption through the body is technically measured while in case of ultrasounds, the reflection is measured. So what are the benefits and differences compared to each other?

niels nielsen · Accepted Answer

Ultrasound furnishes useful contrast in soft tissue, whereas X-rays generally do not. Ultrasound hence lets you accurately image things like heart valves, and can also be used to measure fluid flow in real time within a beating heart by using doppler detection.
X-rays furnish contrast in bone for finding cracks and breaks which ultrasound generally does not, and support the use of contrast agents like barium salts for real-time imaging of occlusion of small arteries in a beating heart.

Ultrasonic vs x-ray (for medical applications)

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