Lithotomy position
Lithotomy Position
The Lithotomy Position (pronunciation: /lɪˈθɒtəmi pəˈzɪʃən/) is a common position used in medical procedures, particularly in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and urology.
Etymology
The term "lithotomy" is derived from the Greek words "lithos" and "tomos," which mean "stone" and "cut," respectively. This term was originally used to describe a surgical procedure for removing stones from the urinary bladder or kidneys. The position was named after this procedure as it was commonly used for it.
Description
In the lithotomy position, the patient is placed on their back with their hips and knees flexed and their thighs apart. The legs are often supported by leg holders known as stirrups. This position allows for optimal exposure of the pelvic and perineal regions, making it ideal for procedures such as childbirth, gynecological surgeries, and certain urological procedures.
Related Terms
- Dorsal recumbent position: A position similar to the lithotomy position, but the legs are not raised as high.
- Trendelenburg position: A position where the patient's body is tilted with the head down and feet elevated, sometimes used in conjunction with the lithotomy position.
- Sims' position: A position where the patient lies on their left side with the right knee and thigh drawn up, often used for rectal and vaginal examinations.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lithotomy position
- Wikipedia's article - Lithotomy position
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski