TONGUE DEPRESSOR Meaning and
Definition
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A tongue depressor refers to a medical instrument commonly used by healthcare professionals during physical examinations and dental procedures. It is a flat, thin, and smooth wooden or plastic spatula-like tool designed to keep the tongue down and facilitate unobstructed access to the oral cavity. The primary purpose of a tongue depressor is to hold the tongue in a mildly uncomfortable position, allowing medical practitioners to perform a comprehensive examination of the mouth and throat area.
Typically, tongue depressors are about 6 inches in length and 0.75 inches in width, both ends rounded to ensure patient comfort and minimize the risk of injury. They are disposable, ensuring hygiene and preventing cross-contamination between patients. Moreover, some tongue depressors may come with a slight indentation that can be used to grip and hold the instrument securely.
Tongue depressors find extensive use in various medical practices, including physical check-ups, throat examinations, and even taking throat swabs. In the dental field, these devices are employed for oral inspections, dental surgeries, and applications of dental products like ointments or gels.
Tongue depressors are an essential tool for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. They allow healthcare providers to accurately observe the tongue, throat, tonsils, and other oral structures, aiding in the identification of abnormalities, infections, or diseases. Their simplicity, affordability, and disposable nature make tongue depressors a widely accessible and indispensable instrument in the medical field.
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An instrument with broad flat extremity used for pressing down the tongue to facilitate examination of the fauces and pharynx.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TONGUE DEPRESSOR
- rongue depressor
- fongue depressor
- gongue depressor
- yongue depressor
- 6ongue depressor
- 5ongue depressor
- tingue depressor
- tkngue depressor
- tlngue depressor
- tpngue depressor
- t0ngue depressor
- t9ngue depressor
- tobgue depressor
- tomgue depressor
- tojgue depressor
- tohgue depressor
- tonfue depressor
- tonvue depressor
- tonbue depressor
Etymology of TONGUE DEPRESSOR
The word "tongue depressor" is a compound noun composed of two words:
1. Tongue: The word "tongue" originated from the Old English "tunge" which meant the organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking. It can be traced back further to the Proto-Germanic word "tungon" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s", meaning "tongue" or "speech".
2. Depressor: The term "depressor" comes from the Latin word "deprimere" which means "to press down". It is a combination of the prefix "de-" (indicating "down" or "away") and the verb "primere" (meaning "to press").
