Süstla

Süstla is the Estonian term for a syringe, a medical device used to inject fluids into the body or withdraw fluids from it. A syringe typically consists of a cylindrical barrel, a plunger that creates a vacuum to draw in and push out liquid, and often a needle attached to the barrel. Syringes can be disposable and sterile, or reusable with proper sterilization.

Syringe construction and varieties vary in size and configuration. Barrels are marked with graduation lines in milliliters to measure dose volume. The plunger seals the barrel with a rubber stopper to create suction and pressure. Needles are usually made of stainless steel and come in various gauges and lengths. Syringes may have a Luer slip connection or a Luer lock connection to secure the needle. Common types include small-volume insulin syringes, tuberculin syringes, and larger-volume general-use syringes ranging from about 1 mL to 50 mL or more. Some syringes are needleless or used with compatible connectors for specific applications.

Uses of sýstla include administration of medicines by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection, as well as aspiration or withdrawal of fluids during medical testing or treatment. They are essential tools in vaccines, anesthesia, diabetes care, and many clinical procedures. Proper technique is important to ensure accurate dosing and to reduce the risk of infection, contamination, or air embolism. Sterile packaging and single-use policies are common practices to maintain safety, with disposal in sharps containers following use.

History and development of the syringe date to 19th-century innovations by inventors such as Charles Pravaz and Alexander Wood, leading to modern disposable and specialized syringes widely used in medicine today.