# What's this doctor thing called, and how does it work?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 24, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907 "2004-09-24T17:54:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Limbo\_Donni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limbo_Donni)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/1 "2004-09-24T17:54:15Z")
[doctor head thing](http://tinyurl.com/5vnvz)
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### Author:  [@W.Fikere\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/W.Fikere_Tomba)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/2 "2004-09-24T17:59:47Z")
It seems to appear mainly in cartoons. I always thought it was just a light to illuminate the inside of your mouth, nose, ear, etc. I can’t recall ever seeing a real doctor wear one.
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### Author:  [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/3 "2004-09-24T18:01:43Z")
I’ve seen real ones. Just a WAG but I think it’s to reflect light onto what the doctor is looking at.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/4 "2004-09-24T18:05:52Z")
It is (or at least was) used to perform an [indirect laryngoscopy](http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw232056.asp).
> [@](#):
>
> Indirect laryngoscopy is done in a doctor’s office using a small hand mirror held in the mouth at the back of the throat, a head mirror worn by the doctor, and a light source. The mirror worn by the doctor reflects light into the mouth. Some doctors now use headgear equipped with a bright light.
>
> Indirect laryngoscopy has been largely replaced by newer direct fiber-optic laryngoscopic techniques that provide better views and greater comfort during the examination.
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### Author:  [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/5 "2004-09-24T21:11:26Z")
I believe the technical term is “Cranially-mounted reflective illumination device”
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/6 "2004-09-24T21:27:07Z")
[Head mirror](http://www.medekit.com/controller/Catalogue/product/7982/HeadMirror(Adjustable).html) or a [headband mirror](http://www.surgicalshop.com/headbandmirror.html), apparently.
I’ve had it used on me. It is lowered in front of the doctor’s eye so he/she can see through the hole in the middle. The ring-shaped mirror is adjusted so that it reflects light from a nearby lamp and onto whatever the doctor is looking at, usually something deep inside a patient’s mouth (or other orifice, I suppose). It acts as a ring-shaped light and casts no shadows.
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### Author:  [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/7 "2004-09-24T21:29:17Z")
Just to put it all together in plain English: it’s a mirror. That is, a curved mirror with a hole in it. Doc swings it down over his eye, looks through the hole, and aims a light at the mirror. Light is reflected and concentrated on what Doc is looking at. And yes, I’ve been examined with one.
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### Author:  [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/8 "2004-09-24T23:14:39Z")
They are used mainly by otorhinolaryngologists. I haven’t seen one in a few years but I haven’t seen an otorhinolaryngologist in a few years, either. 🆒 As of about 1980, nothing else would produce the shadowless light they need for direct examination. The alternative was/is an invasive procedure, unpleasant, and not without risk to the patient.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-doctor-thing-called-and-how-does-it-work/265907/9 "2004-09-25T00:40:12Z")
I used to use one, they’re very handy. They focus light in tight places. They also leave the doc’s hands free to work. As others have pointed out, ENT docs use them a lot to visualize throats, in conjunction with laryngeal mirrors. They’re also real nice for peering into earholes and nostrils. I miss mine!
But you really need a good backlight and a suitable chair to use it.