# Photo Name Category Description
1 Fogarty Clamp Clamping & Occluding Occlusion of arteries
2 Curved Hemostat Clamping & Occluding Clamping tissue or vessels
3 Right Angle Clamp / Mixters Clamping & Occluding Clamping tissue or grasping ligature around a vessel
# Photo Name Category Description
4 Lahey Gall Duct Forceps Clamping & Occluding
5 Kocher Forceps / Ochsner Clamping & Occluding Grasping heavy tissue
6 Kelly Forceps (Curved or Straight) Clamping & Occluding Clamping large vessels or tissue
# Photo Name Category Description
7 Mosquito Clamp – Curved / Snaps Clamping & Occluding Clamping delicate tissue or vessels
8 Tonsil Clamp Clamping & Occluding Clamping tissue or holding tonsil balls
9 #7 Knife Handle Cutting & Dissecting For use with 10, 11, 12, and 15 blades in tight or small spaces
# Photo Name Category Description
10 #3 Long Knife Handle Cutting & Dissecting For use with 10, 11, 12, and 15 blades in deep spaces
11 3 Knife Handle Cutting & Dissecting For use with 10, 11, 12, and 15 blades
12 Potts Smith Scissors Cutting & Dissecting Cutting blood vessels
# Photo Name Category Description
13 Metzenbaum Scissor Cutting & Dissecting Cutting or dissecting delicate tissue
14 Curved Mayo Scissor Cutting & Dissecting Cutting or dissecting heavy tissue
15 Straight Mayo Scissor Cutting & Dissecting Cutting suture
# Photo Name Category Description
16 Toothed Forcep Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue
17 Towel Clamp / Clips Grasping & Holding Securing towels or drapes, reducing small bone fractures
18 Bonney Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping heavy tissue
# Photo Name Category Description
19 Intestinal Forceps Clamping & Occluding
20 Adson Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping skin layer
21 Russian Tissue Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue
# Photo Name Category Description
22 Lahey Traction Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue during its removal
23 Forester Sponge Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue or holding Raytecs
24 Non toothed Pickup / Thumb Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue or applying dressings
# Photo Name Category Description
25 Babcock Grasping & Holding Grasping delicate tissue such as bowel
26 Allis Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue during removal
27 Tenaculum Forceps Grasping & Holding Grasping tissue during removal
# Photo Name Category Description
28 Stryker Drill / Power drill / Hand drill Misc Providing power for drilling
29 Balfour Retractor Retracting & Exposing Deep abdominal retraction
30 Storz Nasal Speculum Retracting & Exposing Retracting nasal walls
# Photo Name Category Description
31 Weisman Graves Speculum Retracting & Exposing Retracting vaginal walls
32 Auvard Vaginal Speculum Retracting & Exposing Retracting the vaginal floor
Pratt Rectal Speculum /
33 Retracting & Exposing Retracting the rectum and anus
Anal Speculum
# Photo Name Category Description
Cushing Vein Retractor /
34 Retracting & Exposing Retracting blood vessels
Vein Retractor
35 Weitlaner Retractor Retracting & Exposing Retracting superficial wounds
36 Army-Navy Retractor Retracting & Exposing Retracting superficial wounds
# Photo Name Category Description
37 Senn Retractor Retracting & Exposing Retracting superficial wounds
38 Roux Retractor Retracting & Exposing Retracting soft tissue
39 Richardson Retractor Retracting & Exposing Retracting wounds
# Photo Name Category Description
40 Ribbon Retractor / Malleable Retracting & Exposing Retracting deep wounds
41 Deaver Retractor Retracting & Exposing Retracting deep wounds
42 Yankauer Suction Suctioning Suctioning fluids and surgical smoke
# Photo Name Category Description
43 Ferg-Frazier Suction Suctioning Suctioning in small areas
44 Poole Suction Suctioning Suctioning large quantities in deep cavities
Mayo-Hegar Needle Holder /
45 Suturing & Stapling Holding suture needles
Needle Holder
Major Categories of Surgical Instruments
1. Clamping and Occluding
o Instruments in this category are designed to control blood flow and other fluids during surgery. They are used to clamp blood vessels, occlude ducts, or compress tissue. Proper
use of clamping and occluding instruments is crucial in preventing excessive bleeding and maintaining a clear surgical field.
2. Cutting and Dissecting
o Cutting and dissecting instruments are used to make incisions and separate tissues. These tools include scalpels, scissors, and other sharp instruments. Mastery of these
instruments is essential for precise surgical techniques, minimizing tissue damage and promoting faster healing.
3. Grasping and Holding
o These instruments are used to hold and manipulate tissues, sutures, and other materials during surgery. They include forceps, needle holders, and clamps. Skilled use of grasping
and holding instruments allows surgical techs to assist surgeons effectively, maintaining a stable and controlled environment.
4. Retracting and Exposing
o Retractors are used to hold back tissues and organs, providing a clear view and access to the surgical site. Effective use of retracting and exposing instruments is critical for
ensuring the surgeon has an unobstructed field, which is essential for delicate and complex procedures.
5. Suctioning
o Suction instruments are used to remove blood, fluids, and debris from the surgical area. These tools help maintain a clear view of the surgical site, preventing complications and
enabling the surgeon to perform with greater precision.
6. Suturing and Stapling
o Suturing and stapling instruments are used to close incisions and secure tissues. These tools are essential for wound closure, promoting healing, and minimizing the risk of
infection. Proficiency in using suturing and stapling instruments is vital for surgical techs to assist in the final stages of surgery.