What type of imaging is primarily performed to assess fetal development?

Obstetric ultrasound is the primary imaging technique used to assess fetal development throughout pregnancy. This specialized form of ultrasound is designed specifically to visualize the uterus and the fetus, allowing healthcare providers to monitor the growth, anatomy, and well-being of the developing baby. Obstetric ultrasounds can provide critical information about the gestational age, assess fetal heartbeat, identify multiple pregnancies, and screen for potential complications, making it an essential tool in prenatal care.

While cardiac ultrasound focuses on the heart, abdominal ultrasound looks at various organs in the abdominal cavity, and transvaginal ultrasound is often utilized in early pregnancy or for certain conditions, it is obstetric ultrasound that is primarily dedicated to monitoring and understanding the development of the fetus throughout pregnancy. This makes it the correct answer in the context of evaluating fetal health and development.