Are needles and syringes the same thing?

No, needles and syringes are not the same thing, although they are often used together in medical and healthcare settings.

A needle is a slender, pointed metal or plastic tube that is attached to the syringe. Needles are used to pierce the skin and deliver fluids, medications, or draw blood. They come in various sizes and lengths, depending on the specific medical procedure or injection.

A syringe, on the other hand, is a device consisting of a barrel, plunger, and a tip where the needle attaches. The barrel holds the medication or substance to be injected, and the plunger is used to push the substance through the needle into the patient's body. Syringes are available in different sizes, and their selection depends on the volume of the substance to be administered.

In medical practice, the term "syringe" is often used to refer to the combination of the needle and the syringe together, as they are used as a single unit for injections. The needle is attached to the syringe when drawing up or administering medications, and it is then detached and disposed of properly after use.