Glossary
O
objective
The lens in a microscope that is nearest to the object being examined.
obsidian
A black or very dark volcanic rock. Obsidian was shattered into very sharp blades and sometimes used as a tool for working marble on a small scale.
obstetrical forceps
An instrument used to assist the delivery of a foetus, usually during a birth where complications have developed. Numerous variations have been developed over time. The fundamental design has two separate looped blades with handles. These interlock to form a grasping instrument.
obstetrical phantom
A life size model of a female pelvic region used to train medical students in child delivery.
obstetrical vectis
A simple instrument resembling a single blade of an obstetric forceps. It is used during childbirth to assist the delivery of an obstructed foetus. Also known as ‘levers’.
obstetrics
A branch of medicine dealing with the care of women. This care occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of recovery from childbirth.
occipital crochet
Instrument used to measure the occipital bone at the back of the head.
oesophagus
The oesophagus connects the throat to the stomach. In humans and other vertebrates it is a muscular tube lined with mucous membrane.
oestrogen
A female hormone. Oestrogen is first produced by a girl at puberty. It regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Oestrogen is present in males, but in very low levels.
oil bottle
bottle for perfumed oil
ointment pot
Container for ointment - a smooth greasy healing preparation usually applied to the skin.
ophthalmic instrument
An instrument used in eye surgery.
ophthalmic instrument set
Group of instruments used by surgeons to perform ophthalmic operations, which are operations that deal with the visual pathways (usually the eyes or brain)
ophthalmology
The branch of medicine dealing with the diseases and surgery of the visual pathways (usually the eyes or the brain).
ophthalmoscope
An instrument for viewing the interior of the eye, particularly the retina. Light is shone into the eye via a mirror (usually concave) and then examined with or without the aid of a lens. Invented by by Hermann Von Helmholtz in 1850
opium
A drug derived from the opium poppy. It has been used to cause sleep and provide pain relief for many centuries.
opium pipe
An opium pipe is a pipe designed for the vaporization and inhalation of opium. True opium pipes allow for the drug to be vaporized while being heated over a special oil lamp known as an opium lamp. It is thought that this manner of "smoking" opium began in the seventeenth century when a special pipe was developed that vaporized opium instead of burning it.
optical instruments
A device used to observe and/or measure light. It can give an enhanced image for viewing or scientific analysis.
optical puzzle
puzzle that is solved using an optical illusion
optical toy
Toys that provide visual stimulus and entertainment through various optical principles, such as persistence of vision, projection and other optical effects and demonstrations.