| stethoscope | <instrument> A device which is used to mediate sounds produced by the human body. Ordinarily consists of rubber tubing in a Y shape. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| stethoscopes | Instruments for performing mediate auscultation (between the ear and the part being examined), invented in 1819 by laennec. While originally used to detect chest (greek stethos) sounds, the stethoscope can be used in the detection of arterial, venous, foetal, intestinal, and other sounds by the observer's ear. (12 Dec 1998) |