TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiography) is a procedure used when a chest x-ray doesn't provide a clear enough echocardiographic image due to the patient's chest structure (e.g., lung disease, deformities), or when a closer examination of intracardiac structures is needed. Frequently searched online as "what is TEE?", Transesophageal Echocardiography is an endoscopic examination. TEE is also known as a cardiac ultrasound or cardiac endoscopy. A thin tube (probe) is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus to access the posterior aspect of the heart, providing very clear and detailed images. While initially less sophisticated devices were used in the 1980s, technological advancements have led to highly developed equipment meeting today's clinical needs. This technique provides superior images of intracardiac structures from the perspective of the heart, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment. Current technology allows for detailed examination of the heart and adjacent structures within the chest cavity, enabling thorough assessment of critically ill patients and those in intensive care. More reliable images facilitate better treatment guidance. TEE can be confused with transthoracic echocardiography, which is a surface, ultrasound-based echocardiogram and does not involve the same preparation process.