Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Tongue depressor
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A tongue depressor is a device used in medical practice to depress the tongue to allow for examination of the mouth and throat. The most common modern tongue depressors have thin wooden blade, smoothed and rounded at both ends,[1] but historically tongue depressors have been made of a variety of materials.[2] Since they are inexpensive and difficult to clean, wooden tongue depressors are normally labeled for disposal after a single use.[3]
Hobbyists and teachers have found a multitude of uses for tongue depressors (sometimes called “craft sticks”) in their projects.[4][5]
References
References
- ↑ Mirriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary, Online.
- ↑ Cohen, J Solis. Diseases of the Throat and Nasal Passages: A Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Affections of the Pharynx, Oesophagus, Trachea, Larynx, and Nares. Chapter II, Examination of the Throat and Nasal Passages. Published by W. Wood, 1884, 742 pp.
- ↑ Landro, L. Hospitals Reuse Medical Devices To Lower Costs Wall Street Journal March 19, 2008.
- ↑ Kent Wood, Ric LaBan. N Scale Model Railroad That Grows Kalmbach Publishing, Co., 1996.
- ↑ LaBritta Gilbert, Linda Greigg. Do touch: instant, easy hands-on learning experiences for young children Published by Gryphon House, Inc., 1989.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]