Trephine is a medical instrument used for cutting circular openings in bones, particularly in the skull. It is pronounced as /ˈtrɛ.faɪn/ according to IPA phonetic transcription. The word has an unusual spelling because it comes from the Greek word "tryphein", which means "to bore", "to pierce" or "to drill". The spelling was originally "trepine", but it was later modified to "trephine" to reflect the word's etymology. Despite its unique spelling, the word has become a standard term in medical parlance.
Trephine is a medical instrument used during surgical procedures to remove a circular section of bone or tissue. The term can also refer to the process of performing this procedure, known as trephination or trepanation.
The trephine instrument consists of a circular, serrated blade attached to a handle. It is specifically designed to create a neatly circular opening, allowing access to the underlying tissue or bone. The procedure is commonly used in neurosurgery for accessing the brain, as well as in certain dental and orthopedic surgeries.
Trephination, often referred to as the oldest surgical procedure known to mankind, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It was practiced by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Incans, who believed it could alleviate symptoms or cure a variety of ailments, including headaches, mental illnesses, and epilepsy. Today, trepanation is primarily used in specific medical contexts and is carefully performed by skilled surgeons.
In a broader sense, "trephine" can also refer to the act of cutting or penetrating a surface, such as drilling a hole through a material or making an incision. This definition extends beyond the medical field and can be applied to various other contexts.
Overall, the term "trephine" encompasses both the instrument used in surgery and the act of performing the trephination procedure, involving the removal of a circular section of bone or tissue in order to gain access for medical purposes.
1. A modified and improved trepan, a cylindrical or crown saw used for the removal of a disc of bone, especially from the skull, or of other firm tissue as that of the cornea. 2. To remove a disc of bone or other tissue by means of a trephine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• An improved form of the trepan.
• To perforate with a trephine.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "trephine" has its origin in Ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "trypanon", which means "a borer or auger". Through the evolution of the word in different languages, it eventually became "trepan" in Old French, and then in Middle English, it transformed into "trephine". The term "trephine" refers to a surgical instrument used for cutting circular holes in bones, particularly the skull.