1. a sharp instrument for suturing or puncturing.
2. to puncture or separate with a needle.
- acupuncture n's — stainless steel needles with silver-plated handles 0.5 to 1 inch long, which are inserted into tissues at those points on the skin surface which are considered relevant to the problem being treated.
- aneurysm n. — one with a handle used in ligating blood vessels.
- aspirating n. — a long, hollow needle for removing fluid from a cavity.
- aspiration biopsy n. — a needle to which suction can be applied in order to withdraw a core of tissue from a solid organ.
- atraumatic n. — surgical needles with suture material fused to the end, which is less traumatic to tissues then suture doubled back through the end of a needle. See swage (2).
- blunt-point n. — a noncutting, blunt-pointed needle used in general surgery and for suturing liver and kidney. Needle pricks are less likely. This is an issue in modern surgery on humans.
- n. burr — amaranthus spinosus.
- n.-cannula — a needle used as a cannula, as for introduction of an intravenous catheter or for passing a suture thread.
- cataract n. — one used in removing a cataract.
- discission n. — a two-way needle or cannula which permits flushing and aspiration of liquid cataract material. See also discission.
- n. driver — see needle holder (below).
- n. feeling — the sensation perceived by the operator when the insertion of an acupuncture needle reaches the acupuncture point.
- n. grass — Stipa spp. Called also spear grass.
- Hagedorn's n. — a form of flat suture needle.
- n. holder — a strong scissor-type instrument used to hold a suture needle while pushing it through tissue. The handles are ratcheted and have to be squeezed to release the needle. The face of each blade is grooved so that the needle will not twist or swivel while being driven. The natural action is for a right-handed surgeon.
- hypodermic n. — a hollow, sharp-pointed needle to be attached to a hypodermic syringe for injection of solutions.
- knife n. — a slender knife with a needle-like point, used in ophthalmic operations.
- ligature n. — a long-handled, slender steel needle, having an eye in its curved end, used for passing a ligature underneath an artery.
- n. puncture — puncture of a mass, tissue or fluid accumulation in order to relieve pressure or to collect sample for field or laboratory examination.
- reverse cutting n. — a curved cutting needle with the cutting edge on the back of the curve rather than on the concave surface.
- Rosenthal n. — used for aspiration of bone marrow.
- round bodied n. — a noncutting surgical needle used for suturing tissues that separate easily such as intestine, liver, lung and fascia. Called also taperpoints.
- spatula n. — a flat, rather than round, special cutting needle for ophthalmic work.
- n. stick injury — accidental puncture of the skin by needles while in use or as a result of inappropriate disposal with the risk of introducing infectious agents.
- stop n. — one with a shoulder that prevents too deep penetration.
- tape n. — a special, heavy duty needle with a palm-fitting handle, for sewing with tape.
- tapercut n. — a suture needle with a flattened shaft, so that it is three times as wide as it is thick, and a point which has a gradually diminishing triangular cross-section, a cutting point. Modern design has a circular cross-section and a short cutting tip.
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