Schiene

Schiene is a German noun that designates a rail or track element used by railways and other wheeled conveyances. In transportation terminology, a Schiene is the elongated steel rail laid on sleepers (ties) to provide the running surface for wheels and to guide movement along a fixed path. Rails are typically installed in pairs on a ballast bed to form a track with a defined gauge.

Rail engineering includes variations such as standard or narrow/gauge, continuous welded rail, and joints with fishplates. Rails are secured to sleepers by fasteners and fittings, and are designed to withstand high loads, wear, and temperature changes. Regular maintenance includes inspection, grinding, replacement of worn sections, and expansion control.

In medicine, Schiene also denotes a splint or brace used to immobilize a limb, stabilize a fracture, or support injured joints. Such splints can be made of metal, wood, plastic, or composite materials and may be used in emergency care or during rehabilitation.

In dental medicine and orthodontics, a Schiene can refer to a splint placed over teeth, such as a night guard (Zahnschiene) to treat bruxism or temporomandibular joint disorders, or to stabilize dental restorations during healing.

Usage notes: the term is generic and can pair with qualifiers to specify the type, for example Eisenbahnschiene for railway rail or Zahnschiene for dental splint. In everyday German, Gleis is often used for a railway track, while Schiene emphasizes the component or device rather than the line of travel.