Definition of syringe

The word "syringe" comes from the Greek word "syringē," which means a hollow tube or reed. In ancient Greece, such tubes made from cane or reeds were used to deliver figworts, a traditional medicinal plant, into the ear as a treatment for ear conditions. The initial use of syringes as medical instruments dates back to the 19th century when rudimentary versions of the syringe were created to remove pus from wounds. However, it was not until the late 1860s, that Joseph Lister, a British surgeon, introduced sterile techniques in medicine, and the syringe began to be used for injection in critical medical situations. The modern-day syringe, as we know it today, was invented in the late 1800s. It consisted of a barrel, a plunger, and a needle, all enclosed in a sterilized container. The first injectable drugs were introduced in the late 1920s, making syringe an essential medical tool for administering medication directly into the bloodstream or other body organs. Since then, syringes have evolved into advanced devices, like insulin syringes, prefilled syringes, and disposable syringes, to cater to the development in medical research, diagnosis, and treatment. The use of syringe continues to be a fundamental component of modern-day medicine, thereby serving as an essential component in both therapy and research.