Lance

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Lance (medical instrument)

Lance (pronunciation: /læns/) is a medical instrument used for various purposes, including bloodletting and lancing boils or abscesses. The term is derived from the Latin word "lancea," which means "light spear."

Usage

In the medical field, a lance is typically a small, sharp instrument that is used to create an opening in the skin or a body cavity. This allows for the drainage of fluids such as blood or pus. The process of using a lance is often referred to as lancing.

Types

There are several types of lances used in medicine, including:

  • Blood lancet: A small, sharp instrument used for blood sampling or bloodletting.
  • Boil lancet: A type of lance used to puncture and drain boils or abscesses.

History

The use of lances in medicine dates back to ancient times. The practice of bloodletting, for example, was commonly performed using a lance. This practice was based on the belief that certain illnesses were caused by an excess of blood in the body.

Related Terms

  • Lancing: The process of using a lance to create an opening in the skin or a body cavity.
  • Bloodletting: An ancient medical practice that involved the removal of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness.
  • Abscess: A confined pocket of pus that collects in tissues, organs, or spaces inside the body.
  • Boil: A skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland.

External links

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