Gauge
Gauge (medical)
Gauge (pronounced: /ɡeɪdʒ/) is a term used in medicine to describe the size of a needle or catheter. It is a unit of measurement that originated from the number of wire pieces that could be drawn from a pound of lead. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the diameter of the needle or catheter.
Etymology
The term "gauge" comes from the Old French gauger, which means to measure. In the context of medical equipment, it was first used in the 19th century to describe the diameter of hypodermic needles and catheters.
Related Terms
- Needle (medical): A needle is a long, slender object with a pointed tip. In medicine, needles are used to inject medications or to draw blood. The size of a needle is often described in terms of its gauge.
- Catheter: A catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Catheters are used in a variety of medical procedures, including intravenous therapy, urinary catheterization, and angioplasty. Like needles, catheters are also measured in terms of gauge.
- Intravenous therapy: Intravenous therapy, or IV therapy, is a medical technique that delivers fluids, blood, or medication directly into a person's vein. The gauge of the needle or catheter used in IV therapy is chosen based on the patient's vein size and the type of fluid or medication being administered.
- Angioplasty: Angioplasty is a medical procedure used to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries or veins. A catheter is used in this procedure, and its gauge is chosen based on the size of the vessel being treated.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gauge
- Wikipedia's article - Gauge
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