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The word [forceps] is used to denote a grasping-type surgical instrument. The origin of the word has been heavily discussed. It seems that it arises from the combination of the Latin terms [formus], meaning "hot" and [capere]. meaning "to hold", a device to hold something hot. Originally, the word was first used by Roman blacksmiths and was a pair of articulated tongs.
In modern terminology, the singular and plural form for the word is the same: [forceps], although there is an older plural form that is sometimes used: [forcipes]
According to Skinner (1970) the first forceps used in the medical arena were dental extraction forceps. The number of surgical forceps has increased over time. Today there are many types of forceps. Following are some of them:
- Thumb forceps: Tissue (toothed) or dressing (serrated) forceps
- Hemostatic forceps: Forceps designed for hemostasis and dissection. These usually have a locking mechanism and are of the ring-handle type
- Obstetrical forceps: Articulated forceps use to deliver a fetus
- Sponge forceps: Forceps to be used with swabs and sponges
- Right-angle forceps: A family of forceps which have an angled jaw (not necessarily right-angled) used for dissection, hemostasis, and grasping
- Specialty forceps: Forceps that have been especially designed for use on an organ or a specific step of a surgical procedure, such as hysterectomy forceps, tenacula, lung forceps, liver forceps, etc.
Click on the image to see a better detail of the anatomy of a hemostatic forceps.
Sources:
1. "The Origin of Medical Terms" Skinner 1970
2. Codman: Surgical Product Catalog 2000
