scissors

scis·sors

(siz'ŏrz), Avoid using the backformation scissor as a singular noun meaning 'pair of scissors'.

An instrument with two blades, moving on a pivot, that cut against each other.

Synonym(s): shears

[L. scindo, pp. scissus, to cut]

scissors

Etymology: L, scindere, to cut

a sharp instrument composed of two opposing cutting blades held together by a central pin on which the blades pivot. The most common dissecting scissors are the straight Mayo, for cutting sutures; the Snowden-Pencer, for deep, delicate tissue; the long curved Mayo, for deep, heavy, or tough tissue; the short curved Metzenbaum, for superficial, delicate tissue; and the long, blunt curved Metzenbaum, for deep, delicate tissue.

Potts-Smith cardiovascular scissors

Drug slang A regional term for marijuana
Surgery An instrument with 2 opposing cutting blades

scissors

Surgery An instrument with 2 opposing cutting blades. See Dissecting scissors.

scis·sors

(siz'ŏrz)

An instrument with two blades, moving on a pivot, which cut against each other.
Synonym(s): shears.

[L. scindo, pp. scissus, to cut]

scissors

cutting instruments consisting of two blades pivoted centrally. The blades are closed and material cut by closing the handles. In cutting tissue the preferred technique is to hold the blades in a firmly half-closed position and to push the instrument along the grain of the tissues.

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bandage scissors

designed for cutting tight bandages on patients without cutting the patient. Have one blade with a knob at the point for slipping under the bandage. Varieties are Knowles and Lister.

blunt-sharp scissors

see standard surgical scissors (below).

corneal scissors

small, with angled blades. See castroviejo ophthalmic instruments, mcguire scissors.

dissection scissors

used for separating tissues. See mayo scissors, metzenbaum scissors.

iris scissors

small, 3-4 inches long with sharp points, for ophthalmic surgery.

plaster scissors

robust for the cutting of plaster casts. See plaster shears, seutin shears.

standard surgical scissors

have one narrow sharp-pointed and one wide, blunt-pointed blade. Called also blunt-sharp scissors.

stitch scissors, suture scissors

for stitch removal; have a hook-shaped point on one blade to hook under the stitch before cutting it with the opposing blade.

tenotomy scissors

small, 4 inches long, very narrow blades, with large finger rings, for ophthalmic surgery. Called also Stevens scissors.

thoracic scissors

very long, up to 14 inches, scissors for reaching deeply located tissues. See nelson scissors.

toenail scissors

for trimming claws and beaks. May be guillotine style, see resco nail trimmer, or with curved blades, see white scissors.

uterine scissors

9 inches long with long handles and short jaws. See mayo scissors.

wire suture scissors

short, strong construction with very short, sharp-pointed, angled blades.