Medical instruments consisting of a hollow needle and a tube with a plunger, used for injecting or withdrawing fluids from the body.
From Greek 'syrinx' meaning 'tube' or 'pipe', also the name of the pan flute in Greek mythology. The medical application developed in the 19th century as hypodermic injection was perfected.
The syringe's name connects it to the mythological nymph Syrinx, who was transformed into hollow reeds to escape Pan's pursuit - these reeds became his famous pan flute. This poetic origin seems almost ironic for such a clinical medical tool, yet both serve to transport substances through hollow tubes.
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