Swab
Swab
Swab (/swɒb/), derived from the Old English term "swabber", is a common term in the medical field. It refers to a small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or wire, used for applying medication or for removing material from an area.
Etymology
The term "swab" is believed to have originated from the Old English term "swabber", which referred to a mop used for cleaning the decks of a ship. Over time, the term evolved to refer to any small piece of absorbent material used for cleaning or applying medication.
Usage
In the medical field, swabs are often used for various purposes such as:
- Sample collection: Swabs are commonly used to collect samples from a patient's body for testing. This includes throat swabs, nasal swabs, and wound swabs.
- Medication application: Swabs can also be used to apply medication to a specific area of the body. This is often done in the case of wounds or infections.
- Cleaning: In some cases, swabs may be used to clean a specific area of the body before a medical procedure.
Related Terms
- Cotton swab: A type of swab made from cotton and a small wooden or plastic stick. It is often used for cleaning or applying medication.
- Culture swab: A swab used to collect samples from a patient's body for the purpose of growing bacteria or other microorganisms in a lab.
- DNA swab: A swab used to collect DNA samples, often from the inside of a person's cheek.
- Forensic swab: A swab used in forensic science to collect samples from a crime scene or from a person's body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Swab
- Wikipedia's article - Swab
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