Surgical Instrument Parts

Instrument Parts

• Teeth: Some instruments have teeth to help grip tissue and ensure a secure hold.
• Jaws: The part of the instrument that opens and closes, typically used for cutting or crushing tissue.
• Box Lock: A locking mechanism that secures the instrument in a closed position. It absorbs a lot of force and should be checked frequently.
• Box Lock Hinge: The interlocking teeth within the box lock mechanism that lock the jaws closed.
• Shank: The body of the instrument, determining its overall length which can vary from 3 to 12 inches.
• Finger Rings: Finger holes designed for holding instruments with the thumb and ring finger.
• Serrations: Grooves or lines found on the jaws of instruments that crush or hold tissue. These can be:
  • Vertical Serrations: Running lengthwise along the jaw.
  • Horizontal Serrations: Running across the jaw.
  • Cross-hatched Serrations: Forming a checkerboard pattern.

Instrument Holding Techniques

• Hemostats and Thumb Forceps:
  • Finger rings: Second and third finger.
  • Middle finger supports the shank.
  • Pointer finger guides the instrument.
  • Pinky finger provides support.
• Thumb Forceps: "Pencil" hold. Held between the thumb and first finger of the non-dominant hand. Rests on remaining fingers.
• Scalpel Handle: Held between the thumb and middle finger. Pointer finger used to guide. Non-dominant hand.