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Stethoscope: meaning, definitions and examples

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stethoscope

 

[ˈsteθəˌskoʊp ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

medical instrument

A stethoscope is a medical instrument used by healthcare professionals to listen to internal sounds of a patient's body, primarily sounds from the heart and lungs. It typically consists of a long flexible tube attached to a chest piece that contains a microphone. Stethoscopes play a crucial role in the diagnosis of various medical conditions, allowing doctors to detect abnormalities in heartbeats or lung sounds. They are essential for physical examinations and are widely used in hospitals and clinics.

Synonyms

diagnostic tool, medical listening device.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor used a stethoscope to listen to the patient's heartbeat.
  • She placed the stethoscope on his chest to check for any irregular breathing.
  • During the check-up, the nurse handed him a stethoscope.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek words 'stethos,' meaning 'chest,' and 'skopein,' meaning 'to look at,' reflecting its use in examining the chest area.
  • Originally, the tool was a wooden tube that allowed doctors to listen to patients without putting their ear directly on the chest.

Historical Origins

  • In 1816, French physician René Laennec invented the first stethoscope by rolling up a piece of paper into a tube.
  • Prior to the stethoscope, doctors relied on the technique of auscultation by placing their ear directly on the patient's chest.

Health & Medicine

  • Stethoscopes allow healthcare professionals to detect abnormalities in heartbeats, breathing, and blood flow, making them crucial for diagnosing diseases.
  • Digital stethoscopes now exist that can amplify sounds and even connect to apps for recording and analyzing heartbeats.

Pop Culture

  • The stethoscope is often depicted in media as a symbol of the medical profession, associated closely with doctors and nurses.
  • In many TV shows, hearing the stethoscope being placed on a patient signals a serious moment about to unfold.

Psychology

  • The sound of a heartbeat can invoke feelings of calmness or anxiety in patients, illustrating the psychological impact of medical examinations.
  • Research shows that patients often feel more at ease when their healthcare provider demonstrates empathy and care with tools like a stethoscope.

Translations

Translations of the word "stethoscope" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estetoscópio

🇮🇳 स्टेथोस्कोप

🇩🇪 Stethoskop

🇮🇩 stetoskop

🇺🇦 стетоскоп

🇵🇱 stetoskop

🇯🇵 聴診器

🇫🇷 stéthoscope

🇪🇸 estetoscopio

🇹🇷 stetoskop

🇰🇷 청진기

🇸🇦 سماعة طبية

🇨🇿 stetoskop

🇸🇰 stetoskop

🇨🇳 听诊器

🇸🇮 stetoskop

🇮🇸 hlustunartæki

🇰🇿 стетоскоп

🇬🇪 სტეტოსკოპი

🇦🇿 stetoskop

🇲🇽 estetoscopio

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,958, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.