Wick
Wick (medicine)
Wick (/wɪk/), in the field of medicine, refers to a thin piece of material used to absorb or drain fluids from a wound or body cavity. The term is derived from the Old English weoce, meaning a strip of cloth.
Usage
In medical practice, a wick is often used in the treatment of abscesses or other deep or hard-to-reach wounds. The wick is inserted into the wound to help drain pus or other fluids, promoting healing and preventing infection. This process is known as wound packing or wound wicking.
Related Terms
- Abscess: A collection of pus that has built up within the tissue of the body.
- Wound packing: The process of applying a wick or other material to a wound to absorb fluids and promote healing.
- Wound wicking: Another term for wound packing, specifically referring to the use of a wick.
- Drainage (medicine): The removal of fluids from a body cavity, wound, or other source of discharge by one or more methods.
Etymology
The term wick comes from the Old English weoce, which means a strip of cloth. This is a reference to the original use of cloth strips for this purpose in historical medical practices.
Pronunciation
The word wick is pronounced as /wɪk/.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wick
- Wikipedia's article - Wick
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