A portable ultrasound scanning system for performing a diagnostic ultrasound scanning process of a patient, comprising a portable housing configured to be held in a first hand of a user of the scanning system. A display comprising a touchscreen is mounted on the hand-held housing. A user input interface, at least a part of which is presented on the display, is configured to receive inputs from a user via the touchscreen and to transmit those inputs to the ultrasound electronics. A scanning probe is configured to be held in the user's second hand. A virtual control area is included in the user interface, the virtual control area being displayed on the touchscreen of the portable housing. A trackball zone is included in the virtual control area, the trackball zone performing a navigational function using a touch-sensitive manipulation method.
