Description

A dilator is a medical device used to gradually expand or enlarge an opening or passage in the body. Dilators come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the specific application and anatomical site being treated. They are commonly used in medical procedures to stretch or widen narrow or constricted passages, such as blood vessels, the cervix, the urethra, or the anus. Dilators may be made of metal, plastic, silicone, or other materials, and they can be rigid or flexible, depending on the requirements of the procedure. In gynecology, for example, cervical dilators are used to gradually open the cervix during procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C), hysteroscopy, or intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. In urology, urethral dilators are used to widen the urethra to treat conditions such as urethral strictures. Overall, dilators are important tools in various medical specialties for safely and effectively expanding anatomical passages and facilitating diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.