A blood lancet, or simply lancet, is a small medical implement used for

capillary A capillary is a small blood vessel, from 5 to 10 micrometres in diameter, and is part of the microcirculation system. Capillaries are microvessels and the smallest blood vessels in the body. They are composed of only the tunica intima (the inn ...

blood sampling. A blood lancet, sometimes called a lance, is similar to a

scalpel A scalpel or bistoury is a small and extremely sharp bladed instrument used for surgery, anatomical dissection, podiatry and various handicrafts. A lancet is a double-edged scalpel. Scalpel blades are usually made of hardened and tempered ...

style lancet, but with a double-edged blade and a pointed end. It can even be a specialized type of sharp needle. Lancets are used to make punctures, such as a fingerstick, to obtain small blood specimens. Blood lancets are generally disposable. Lancets are also used to prick the

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

in dermatological testing for allergies.Abstract: The Allergy Pricker
/ref> A blood-sampling device, also known as a lancing device, is an instrument equipped with a lancet. It is also most commonly used by diabetic patients during

blood glucose monitoring Blood glucose monitoring is the use of a glucose meter for testing the concentration of glucose in the blood (Blood sugar level, glycemia). Particularly important in diabetes management, a blood glucose test is typically performed by piercing ...

. The depth of skin penetration can be adjusted for various skin thicknesses. Long lancing devices are used for fetal scalp blood testing to get a measure of the acid base status of the fetus.

Blood sampling

The small capillary blood samples obtained can be tested for blood glucose,

hemoglobin Hemoglobin (haemoglobin, Hb or Hgb) is a protein containing iron that facilitates the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells. Almost all vertebrates contain hemoglobin, with the sole exception of the fish family Channichthyidae. Hemoglobin ...

, and many other blood components.

References

External links

Lancet In Diabetes Self Management
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blood Lancet Diabetes-related supplies and medical equipment Medical testing equipment