Thickness
Thickness
Thickness (pronounced: /ˈθɪknəs/) is a term used in various fields of study, including medicine, physics, and engineering. It refers to the measurement of the distance between two surfaces of an object, often in a direction perpendicular to the surface itself.
Etymology
The term "thickness" originates from the Old English word "þicce", which means "dense" or "thick". The suffix "-ness" was added later to denote a state or condition, thus forming the word "thickness".
Medical Usage
In medicine, thickness is often used to describe the size of various body parts or tissues. For example, the thickness of the skin, muscle, or bone can be measured to assess health conditions or to plan surgical procedures.
= Related Terms
- Caliper: A device used to measure the thickness of various objects, including body tissues.
- Ultrasonography: A diagnostic imaging technique that can be used to measure the thickness of internal organs or tissues.
- Pachymetry: The measurement of the thickness of the cornea in the eye.
Physics and Engineering Usage
In physics and engineering, thickness is a critical parameter in many calculations and designs. It can affect the strength, weight, and functionality of various materials and structures.
= Related Terms
- Gauge: A term used to denote the thickness of a sheet of metal, wire, or other material.
- Tensile strength: The maximum amount of tensile (pulling) stress that a material can withstand without breaking, which can be affected by the material's thickness.
- Thermal conductivity: The measure of a material's ability to conduct heat, which can be influenced by its thickness.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Thickness
- Wikipedia's article - Thickness
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