THUMB LANCET Meaning and
Definition
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A thumb lancet refers to a small medical instrument designed for small-scale surgical procedures, particularly in bloodletting or pricking the skin for the purpose of drawing blood or completing a quick incision. The instrument typically consists of a slender handle, often resembling the shape and size of an individual's thumb, and a sharp, pointed blade that retracts into the handle for safety when not in use. The blade itself is typically narrow and cylindrical, facilitating precise punctures with minimal pain or damage to the patient.
Thumb lancets have a long history of application in various medical disciplines, including phlebotomy, a practice commonly used for blood sampling or venesections. Physicians or medical practitioners employ thumb lancets to create small incisions to release blood from a patient, enabling the examination and analysis of their blood components. This technique is believed to have therapeutic effects by alleviating potential imbalances caused by excessive blood accumulation or certain ailments.
Although thumb lancets are now frequently replaced by more advanced and streamlined blood-sampling devices, they still find practical application in specific medical conditions or rural settings lacking access to modern medical equipment. These instruments require careful handling, ensuring the blade is sterile before each use, and disposing of them responsibly to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination or infections.
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• A l. with short flat blade which folds back, when closed, between two plates of the handle.
• See illustration under lancet.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for THUMB LANCET
- rhumb lancet
- fhumb lancet
- ghumb lancet
- yhumb lancet
- 6humb lancet
- 5humb lancet
- tgumb lancet
- tbumb lancet
- tnumb lancet
- tjumb lancet
- tuumb lancet
- tyumb lancet
- thymb lancet
- thhmb lancet
- thjmb lancet
- thimb lancet
- th8mb lancet
- th7mb lancet
- thunb lancet
- thukb lancet
Etymology of THUMB LANCET
The word "thumb lancet" is a combination of two different terms.
1. Thumb: The word "thumb" comes from the Old English word "thūma", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*thūmō". The exact origin of this word is uncertain, but it is believed to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*tum-", meaning "swell" or "be swollen". Over time, "thūma" evolved into "thumb" in English.
2. Lancet: The word "lancet" has a Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "lancea", which was a type of spear or lance used by Roman soldiers. The term eventually evolved to refer to a small, pointed surgical instrument used to make incisions or puncture the skin. This usage in medical terminology has been in place since the 14th century.
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