Diagnostic ultrasound plays an important role in logopedics and phoniatrics. In this article the basic principles of ultrasound are introduced along with the various ultrasonic methods used for assessment and intervention: B-mode, TM-mode, spectral Doppler, color Doppler and enhanced color Doppler. The application of each method to the study of swallowing is explored along with recent state-of-the-art advances in three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging of the upper airway.