Filiform bougie is a medical instrument used to dilate strictures in the digestive tract. The spelling of this term can be confusing due to the silent "g" at the end of "bougie." The correct pronunciation is /fɪlɪfɔrm buːʒi/, which means the "g" is not pronounced, but the "ie" combination makes the "long e" sound. The word "filiform" is pronounced as /ˈfɪlɪfɔːm/. Being aware of the correct pronunciation and spelling of medical terms is important to ensure clarity in communication among healthcare professionals.
A filiform bougie is a medical instrument used in urology and surgery, specifically in procedures involving urinary tract blockages. It is a long and slender instrument resembling a thin, flexible tube or rod. The term "filiform" refers to its thread-like shape, allowing it to smoothly navigate through narrow passageways or strictures.
Typically made of flexible materials like rubber or silicon, the filiform bougie is designed with a tapered tip and a series of small perforations along its surface to aid in guiding and advancing it through the urinary tract. This instrument is inserted through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, or other appropriate access points, to reach and navigate obstructions causing urinary retention or to dilate strictures.
By gradually introducing the filiform bougie, medical professionals can locate and navigate the blockage, either by following the natural path of the urethra or the course needed for alternative insertion points. In certain cases, the filiform bougie can be used as a precursor to further dilation techniques or as a temporary measure to alleviate urinary obstructions, allowing the natural flow of urine.
Overall, the filiform bougie is an invaluable instrument in urological procedures to address urinary tract blockages, providing medical professionals with guidance and the ability to navigate through tiny pathways and strictures with precision and ease.
A very slender bougie of firm but yielding structure.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "filiform" is derived from the Latin word "filum", meaning "thread" or "thread-like". It is combined with the French word "bougie", which originally referred to a wax candle but later evolved to signify a slender, cylindrical instrument. The term "filiform bougie" is used in medicine to describe a thin, flexible instrument used for medical procedures, particularly in the ear, nose, and throat.