Cotton
Cotton (Medical)
Cotton (pronunciation: /ˈkɒt(ə)n/) is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. In the medical field, cotton is widely used in a variety of applications due to its absorbency, softness, and hypoallergenic properties.
Etymology
The word "cotton" has its origins in the Arabic word qutun or qutn, which became "cotton" in English. The plant was named Gossypium after the Roman name for the cotton plant, gossypion.
Medical Uses
Cotton is used in a variety of medical applications, including:
- Bandages: Cotton is often used to make bandages due to its softness and absorbency. It can be used to cover wounds, absorb blood and other fluids, and provide support for sprains and strains.
- Cotton Swabs: Cotton swabs are small sticks with cotton at one or both ends. They are used for cleaning, applying medication, or collecting samples.
- Cotton Balls: Cotton balls are used for cleaning wounds, applying medication, and absorbing fluids.
- Medical Gauze: Medical gauze, often made from cotton, is used for dressing wounds, preventing infection, and absorbing fluids.
Related Terms
- Gossypium: The genus of cotton plants.
- Malvaceae: The family of plants to which cotton belongs.
- Boll: The protective case in which cotton grows.
- Fiber: The thread-like structure that makes up cotton.
- Absorbency: The ability of a material, like cotton, to absorb fluids.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cotton
- Wikipedia's article - Cotton
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