In medicine,
saline (also
saline solution) is a general phrase referring to a
sterile solution of
sodium chloride (NaCl, more commonly known as table salt) in water, but is only sterile when it is to be placed ly (such as intravenously); otherwise, a saline solution is a
salt water solution. The sterile solution is typically used for
intravenous infusion, rinsing
contact lenses,
nasal irrigation, and cleaning a new
piercing. Saline solutions are available in various formulations for different purposes. Salines are also used in cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry experiments.