ch 24: surgical supplies and instruments vocabulary

abscess

localized collection of pus which may be under the skin or deep in the body that causes tissue destruction

anesthetic

agent that causes partial or complete loss of sensation

cannula

rigid tube that surrounds a blunt trocar or a sharp pointed trocar which is inserted into the body

when the trocar is withdrawn fluid may escape from the body through the cannula depending on the insertion site

caustic

capable of burning corroding or destroying living tissue

curettage

the act of scraping a body cavity with a surgical instrument such as a curette

dilation

opening or widening of the circumference of a body orifice with a dilating instrument

diluent

a liquid substance that dilutes or lessens strength of a solution or mixture

added to vitals of powdered medications to create a solution of the drug for injection

dissect

to cut or separate tissue with a cutting instrument or scissors

fornix

recess in upper part of vagina caused by protrusion of cervix into vaginal wall

impervious

not permitting penetration

infection

invasion of body tissues by microorganisms which then multiply and damage tissues

obturator

a metal rod with a smooth rounded tip that is placed in hollow instruments to reduce injury to body tissues during insertion

patency

open condition of a body cavity or canal

pathogen

a disease-causing organism

permeable

allowing for penetration

spore

thick-walled dormant form of bacteria that is very resistant to disinfection measures

stylus

metal probe inserted into or passed through a catheter, needle, or tube used for clearing purposes or to facilitate passage into a body orifice

transient

not lasting, enduring, or permanent

transitory

vasoconstriction

contraction of the muscles causing the narrowing of the inside tube of the vessel