A tongue depressor is a simple medical device used to depress the tongue to allow for a proper examination of the throat and mouth. A tongue depressor is used during oral examinations to increase visibility; the doctor will press down on the tongue with the depressor and use a scope or light instrument to inspect the mouth for any glaring problems. Tongue depressors typically take the shape of a Popsicle stick, or a thin wooden blade that is smooth and round at both ends. As a result of their function, a tongue depressor must be rounded or squared off to avoid any puncturing of the gum tissue or tongue. Although modern tongue depressors can be composed of medal, the most common forms, to mitigate costs and the spread of germs, are wooden. Wooden tongue depressors are disposable, cheap, and only used once on a patient before they are discarded. Historically speaking however, a tongue depressor took on the form of many materials. From pine or redwood woods, to balsa, and metals, antiquarian tongue depressors were whittled or constructed from numerous elements.

The tongue depressor is a very simple, yet fundamental medical instrument. Although the tongue depressor is simply a rounded sliver of wood, it is essential to increase visibility and mobility when examining a patient's mouth or throat. Tongue depressors are also used when taking throat cultures, or collecting saliva samples to study possible infections or conditions within the mouth. Granted the tool is small, and extremely simple, however, without it's use a doctor would be unable to properly examine a patient's mouth for the presence of disease or bacteria.