sponge (redirected from Sea sponges)

sponge (spunj)

1. a porous, absorbent mass, as a pad of gauze or cotton surrounded by gauze.

2. the elastic fibrous skeleton of certain species of marine animals.

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absorbable gelatin sponge  a sterile, absorbable, water-insoluble, gelatin-base material, used as a local hemostatic.

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sponge (spnj)

n.

1. Any of numerous aquatic invertebrate animals of the phylum Porifera.

2. The light, fibrous, absorbent skeleton of certain of these organisms.

3. A piece of absorbent porous material, such as cellulose, plastic, or rubber, used especially for washing and cleaning.

4. A gauze pad used to absorb blood and other fluids, as in surgery or in dressing a wound.

5. A contraceptive sponge.

v.

To wash, moisten, or absorb with a sponge.

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sponge

[spunj]

Etymology: Gk, spongia

1 a resilient absorbent mass used to absorb fluids, to apply medication, or to cleanse. The sponge may be the internal skeleton of a certain marine animal, or it may be manufactured from cellulose, rubber, or synthetic material.

2 

Usage notes: informal.

a folded gauze square used in surgery.

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sponge

a porous, absorbent mass, as a pad of gauze or cotton surrounded by gauze, or the elastic fibrous skeleton of certain species of marine animals.

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sponge forceps

see foerster sponge forceps.

gelatin sponge (absorbable)

a spongy form of denatured gelatin, soaked with thrombin and used for topical hemostasis.