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Definition of 'tongue depressor'. tongue depressor (tÊÅ dÉªprÉsÉr ) Word forms: tongue depressors. countable noun. A tongue depressor is a medical instrument that is used to press a patient's tongue down so that their mouth or throat can be examined more easily. [medicine] Dr. Avery took the tongue depressor out of Rae's mouth.
A doctor uses a tongue depressor to move the tongue and look at the floor of mouth. The inside of the mouth and cheeks are examined with a gloved finger to check the location and size of the tumor. Examination of the ears, nose, throat and neck are needed to help determine if the tumor has spread.