Tongue depressor

Tongue Depressor

A tongue depressor is a tool used in medical practice to depress the tongue to allow for examination of the mouth and throat. The most common modern tongue depressors are flat, thin, wooden blades, smoothed and rounded at both ends, but, historically, tongue depressors have been made of a variety of materials, and have evolved in shape and structure over time.

History

The use of tongue depressors dates back to antiquity, with evidence of their use in Ancient Egyptian medicine. The earliest tongue depressors were likely made of bone or ivory. In the 19th century, tongue depressors made of wood or metal were common. The modern wooden tongue depressor was introduced in the late 19th century.

Design and Use

The typical tongue depressor is a flat, thin, wooden blade, about 150 mm (6 in) long and 18 mm (0.71 in) wide, with rounded ends. It is designed to be disposable and inexpensive, with a new one used for each patient to prevent the spread of disease. The tongue depressor is used by medical professionals to depress the tongue to allow for examination of the mouth and throat.

Other Uses

While primarily used in medical settings, tongue depressors have found a variety of other uses. They are commonly used in arts and crafts projects, and in education as a tool for spreading glue or mixing paint. They are also used in cooking to spread sauces or mix ingredients.

See Also

• Medical equipment
• Oral examination
• Throat examination

Tongue depressor Resources
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