What is the difference between an endorectal ultrasound and a transrectal ultrasound?

An endorectal ultrasound involves inserting a probe into the rectum to obtain images of the rectal wall and surrounding tissues, primarily used to assess rectal diseases or conditions. In contrast, a transrectal ultrasound is specifically focused on imaging the prostate gland and surrounding structures in men, often used for prostate cancer evaluation or biopsies. While both procedures utilize similar technologies, their primary applications and target areas differ.