PACHYMETER Meaning and
Definition
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A pachymeter is a medical instrument used to measure the thickness of various parts of the body, most commonly the cornea. It consists of a handheld device with a digital display and a probe that is gently placed on the surface of the targeted area.
The primary purpose of a pachymeter is to assess the thickness of the cornea, which is the transparent layer covering the front part of the eye. Measuring corneal thickness is crucial for a variety of ophthalmic procedures, such as evaluating suitability for refractive surgery, monitoring glaucoma progression, and diagnosing certain corneal diseases. By accurately measuring the corneal thickness, a pachymeter helps eye care professionals make informed decisions about treatment options and gauge the health of the eye.
Pachymeters typically use ultrasound technology to measure the thickness of the cornea. When the probe is placed on the corneal surface, it emits sound waves that bounce back and are measured by the device. These measurements are then displayed on the digital screen, providing precise thickness readings in micrometers.
In addition to measuring corneal thickness, pachymeters can also be used to assess the thickness of other body parts, such as the skin or artery walls, to aid in diagnoses or monitoring certain medical conditions.
Overall, a pachymeter is an essential tool in the field of ophthalmology, offering accurate and non-invasive measurements of various body tissues, with a particular emphasis on corneal thickness.
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An instrument for measuring the thickness of any object, especially of thin objects such as a plate of bone or a membrane.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PACHYMETER
- pacheometer
- pachometer
- pacyometer
- pachyometer
- oachymeter
- lachymeter
- 0achymeter
- pzchymeter
- pschymeter
- pwchymeter
- pqchymeter
- paxhymeter
- pavhymeter
- pafhymeter
- padhymeter
- pacgymeter
- pacbymeter
- pacnymeter
- pacjymeter
- pacuymeter
Etymology of PACHYMETER
The word pachymeter comes from the combination of two Greek words: pachys meaning thick, and metron meaning measure. Pachys is derived from the Greek word pachus, which has the same meaning of thick. The word meter is derived from metron, which means measure or measurement in Greek. Therefore, the etymology of pachymeter essentially translates to thick measure or measurement of thickness.
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