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DictionarylavageMedical washing
noun / verb

lavage

LAV-ij/ˈlævɪdʒ/

Washing out a body cavity or organ for medical purposes.

The clinician performs gastric lavage, flushing liquid through the tube into the patient's stomach.

In a clinic, a medical worker gently flushes a patient's stomach through a tube while collected fluid drains into a basin.
Etymology
lavLatinto wash
+ageFrenchaction or process

The pieces name a process of washing. In medical use, that ordinary action is specialized to washing out an internal organ or body cavity.

In context

Andrew P. Nosal17:25
So we wanted to use a non-lethal method called gastric lavage…flush the stomach with sea water…
Andrew P. Nosal (Scripps/UCSD): Not Just on Vacation: Why Leopard Sharks Hang Out in La Jolla
Avi Bhar0:32
fluid is then instilled and pushed down and suctioned back up again so that's the original Bronco [lavage]
What is a Mini BAL (Bronchoalveolar Lavage)

More examples

  • The medical team prepares for gastric lavage.
  • The surgeon lavages the abdominal cavity with sterile fluid.
  • Fluid collected during lung lavage goes to the lab for testing.

Forms

lavage · lavages · lavaged · lavaging

Similar words

irrigation
Also covers rinsing wounds or exposed tissues with fluid.
flushing
Broader term for clearing something with flowing liquid.