tenaculum
[ tuh-nak-yuh-luh m ]
/ təˈnæk yə ləm /
noun, plural te·nac·u·la [tuh-nak-yuh-luh] /təˈnæk yə lə/.
Surgery.
a small sharp-pointed hook set in a handle, used for seizing and picking up parts in operations and dissections.
Entomology.
a clasplike appendage on the abdomen of a springtail, which holds the springing device in place.
Origin of tenaculum
1685–95; < Latin
tenāculum instrument for gripping, equivalent to
ten(ēre) to hold +
-ā- (from v. stems ending in
-ā-; see
gubernaculum) +
-culum
-cule2
Words nearby tenaculum
tena koutou,
tenable,
tenace,
tenacious,
tenacity,
tenaculum,
tenaculum forceps,
tenafly,
tenaille,
tenaim,
tenalgia
Example sentences from the Web for tenaculum
The patient is in the lithotomy position, the speculum is passed and the cervix pulled down by a tenaculum.
British Dictionary definitions for tenaculum
tenaculum
/ (tɪˈnækjʊləm) /
noun plural -la (-lə)
a surgical or dissecting instrument for grasping and holding parts, consisting of a slender hook mounted in a handle
Word Origin for tenaculum
C17: from Late Latin, from Latin
tenēre to hold
Medical definitions for tenaculum
tenaculum
[ tə-năk′yə-ləm ]
n. pl. te•nac•u•la (-lə)
A long-handled, slender, hooked instrument for lifting and holding parts, such as blood vessels, during surgery.