The Anatomy of a Syringe: The Parts of Syringe
The last time you got a shot, did you pay much attention to the needle? Probably not–most people are either indifferent toward syringe shots or too scared of needles to take a long look.
If you had looked, though, you might have been surprised to see how simple yet effective this small device is.
Syringes don’t have a complicated structure. There aren’t many parts of syringe implements, yet medicine syringes are one of the most important tools in any doctor’s arsenal.
Whether they deliver medicine or draw blood, syringes are used by medical professionals every day. Keep reading to learn more about these fascinating devices and how they work.
The Barrel
The barrel is the main body of the syringe; it’s where the syringe stores liquid before injection. There are several syringe sizes depending on how much material the syringe needs to store.
No matter the size, a syringe barrel will have markings that show the barrel’s volume. Usually, these markings are in milliliter units. This isn’t always the case–insulin syringes use a different scale based on insulin concentration.
The Plunger
Arguably the most important part of syringe construction, the plunger is what forces medication out of the barrel through the syringe needle. Plungers have a rod, a thumb press, and a seal.
The main element is the plunger rod. The rod is a long piece of plastic that moves up and down in the barrel when pressed on. The further out of the barrel it sticks, the more liquid is inside the barrel.
By pushing down on the thumb press at the base of the plunger rod, the user moves the plunger through the barrel. This, in turn, forces liquid out through the needle.
The end of the plunger rod is capped by a seal that prevents medicine from leaking out of the syringe.
The Flanges
A syringe has two kinds of flanges. One is the thumb press at the base of the plunger. It’s a wide, flat surface that’s easy to press down on when administering syringe shots.
The barrel also has a pair of flanges opposite the syringe needle. These flanges make the syringe easy to hold–a doctor can put their index and middle fingers on these flanges to keep the syringe steady.
The Needle Assembly
Needles are the first thing you’re likely to think of when you hear the word syringe, but needles are often separate from the syringe itself. Instead, most syringes have specialized tips that different needles can be attached to.
The most common is the Luer lock tip, which allows for the secure attachment of many kinds of needles. Luer slip tips and catheter tips are also used frequently.
Medical suppliers like ukmedi.co.uk offer a variety of syringes and needles for any medical need.
Understand the Parts of Syringe Tools
The parts of syringe tools may be simple, but they’re undeniably effective. The simple construction of these devices makes them easy to produce and use. A plastic syringe is a perfect way to deliver a vaccine or medicine.
Over the last few years, the issues of vaccination and medication have become more important than ever. Visit our health blog to stay up-to-date on the latest news about COVID, health insurance, and more!
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