Crossword clues for retractor
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Retractor \Re*tract"or\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]kt"[~e]r), n. One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically:
In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel.
(Surg.) An instrument for holding apart the edges of a wound during amputation.
(Surg.) A bandage to protect the soft parts from injury by the saw during amputation.
(Anat. & Zo["o]l.) A muscle serving to draw in any organ or part. See Illust. under Phylactol[ae]mata.
Wiktionary
n. 1 One who, or that which, retracts. 2 In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel. 3 A surgical instrument used to hold apart the edges of an incision or wound. 4 (context chess English) A chess puzzle in which a number of moves are retracted and the solver is challenged to reach an alternate outcome.
WordNet
n. surgical instrument that holds back the edges of a surgical incision
Wikipedia
A retractor is a surgical instrument with which a surgeon can either actively separate the edges of a surgical incision or wound, or can hold back underlying organs and tissues, so that body parts under the incision may be accessed. The two are each available in many shapes, sizes, and styles. The general term retractor usually describes a simple handheld steel tool possessing a curved, hooked, or angled blade fitted with a comfortable handle, that when in place maintains the desired position of a given region of tissue. These simple retractors may be handheld, clamped in situ, or suspended at the end of a robotic arm. Retractors can also be self retaining and not need to be held once inserted by having two or more opposing blades or hooks which are separated via spring, ratchet, worm gear or some other method and pull on opposite sides of a wound. The term retractor is also used to describe the distinct, hand-cranked devices such as rib spreaders (also known as thoracic retractors, or distractors) with which surgeons may forcefully drive tissues apart to obtain the exposure. For specialized situations such as spinal surgery retractors have been fitted both with suction and with fiberoptic lights to keep a surgical wound dry and illuminated.
Retractor may refer to:
- Retractor (medical), a medical instrument
- Retractor (memory), a person
- Retractor (chess), type of a chess problem
- Retractor muscles in zoology
Usage examples of "retractor".
The sternal retractor, the scalpels, the hemostats, the table, the floor, all covered in an unbelievable amount of dried blood.
His eyes were held open with lid retractors, and the eyes themselves were fixated with limbal sutures.
The devices available to Kraft on the sampler tray have gone unchanged for a hundred years: knives, scissors, needles, thread, forceps, retractors, the all-important hemostat.
As internal organs were sutured back together, as muscles were mended, and cells destroyed in the tedious process, Digen, whose only responsibility was to stand perfectly still, pulling on a retractor at a steady rate, drifted on her selyn field inexorably up into hyperconsciousness, snapping rudely back down to duoconsciousness every time Thornton attacked a high selyn-field zone.
Braids squeezed the utensil, causing the retractors to widen and the tines to plunge through.
Metal retractors had been set, spreading the edges of the wound apart.
She had removed the retractors, cleaned and dressed the wound as best she could.
Loveday snapped the retractors together viciously as Staff came back, tore off her gown and mask and cap, pinned on the small starched and frilled headdress the sisters of the Royal City were privileged to wear, and with a modicum of words as she handed over the keys, went off duty.
To one sitte there lay the grim saws, retractors, tenacula, scalpels, bistouries (sharp and blunt-pointed), forceps, trephines, single-edged amputating knives and catlings, arranged with loving care by Poll and her friend the bosun's wife's sister, both of whom wore starched aprons, bibs and sleeves, and white caps.
To one sitte there lay the grim saws, retractors, tenacula, scalpels, bistouries (sharp and blunt-pointed), forceps, trephines, single-edged amputating knives and catlings, arranged with loving care by Poll and her friend the bosun’s wife’s sister, both of whom wore starched aprons, bibs and sleeves, and white caps.
An array of grim saws, retractors, scalpels, forceps, trephines, catlings and other mysterious torture instruments were arranged with loving care by Mrs.
This was the first time Stephen had been aboard the Franklin for any length of time since the earlier critical days, when his horizon was almost entirely bounded by the walls of his operating and dressing stations - blood and bones, splints, lint, tow and bandages, saws, retractors, artery-hooks - and he had had little time to see her as a ship, to see her from within.
Kibler pushed the rubber cannula into the left lateral ventricle, the cavity in the center of the left half of the brain, while Kat held the incision open with a small retractor.
Handsomely with the retractor, M’Alister: a couple of pledgets, and you may begin to sew.
Handsomely with the retractor, M'Alister: a couple of pledgets, and you may begin to sew.