Swab
Swab is a small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or wire and used for cleaning a surface, applying medicine, or collecting a sample of a substance. Swabs are commonly used in medicine, microbiology, environmental science, and various other sciences.
Types of Swabs[edit | edit source]
There are several types of swabs used in different fields. Some of the most common types include:
- Cotton swabs: These are often used in medicine or for personal hygiene. They consist of one or two small wads of cotton wrapped around either end of a short rod, usually made of either wood, rolled paper, or plastic.
- DNA swabs: These are used to collect samples of DNA, usually from the inside of a person's cheek. They are often used in genetic testing, forensics, and paternity testing.
- Microbiological swabs: These are used to collect samples for microbiological analysis. They are often used in environmental science, food science, and other fields where it is necessary to test for the presence of microorganisms.
- Medical swabs: These are used in medicine to apply medication, clean wounds, or collect samples for testing.
Uses of Swabs[edit | edit source]
Swabs have a wide range of uses in various fields. Some of the most common uses include:
- Sample collection: Swabs are often used to collect samples of substances for testing. This can include collecting DNA samples, microbiological samples, or samples of other substances.
- Cleaning: Swabs can be used to clean small or hard-to-reach areas. This can include cleaning wounds in medicine, cleaning delicate equipment in science labs, or cleaning various surfaces in environmental science.
- Applying medication: In medicine, swabs are often used to apply medication to a specific area. This can include applying ointment to a wound, applying a local anesthetic, or applying other types of medication.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
