Definition

Noun: A thin, flat, typically wooden or metal instrument used by medical professionals to press down the tongue during an examination of the mouth and throat. This allows for a clear view of the throat, tonsils, and other oral structures.

Usage

The term "tongue depressor" is used specifically in a medical or clinical context. It refers to the tool itself and its singular, primary function. * The doctor used a tongue depressor to examine the child's sore throat. * A standard medical kit should contain sterile tongue depressors. * Please open wide and say "ah" while I hold your tongue down with this tongue depressor.

Advanced Usage

• While primarily a medical instrument, the common wooden tongue depressor is also frequently used in arts and crafts, model building, and as a stir stick.
• In a medical setting, the action is described as "depressing the tongue."

Variants and Related Words

• Depressor (noun): A more general term for any instrument used to push something down. A tongue depressor is a specific type of depressor.
• Spatula (noun): While a spatula can be a broad, flat tool, in a medical context it can sometimes be used synonymously with "tongue depressor," though "tongue depressor" is more precise.

Synonyms

• Medical spatula
• (Informally) Popsicle stick (when referring to the common wooden type, though not in a medical context)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Say 'ah'": This common instruction from a doctor is directly associated with the moment a tongue depressor is used.

Noun

1. a thin depressor used to press the tongue down during an examination of the mouth and throat