How Do You Spell THUMB FORCEPS?

Pronunciation: [θˈʌm fˈɔːsɛps] (IPA)

Thumb forceps are surgical instruments that have two blades and a hinge in the middle, resembling a pair of tweezers. The spelling of thumb forceps can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The word 'thumb' is pronounced as /θʌm/, where the symbol 'θ' represents the 'th' sound. The word 'forceps' is pronounced as /ˈfɔːsɛps/, where 'ɔː' represents the long 'o' sound and 'ɛ' represents the 'e' sound. Therefore, the correct spelling of thumb forceps is represented by the letters 't-h-u-m-b' and 'f-o-r-c-e-p-s'.

THUMB FORCEPS Meaning and Definition

1. Thumb forceps are a type of surgical instrument designed for grasping and holding tissues, objects, or materials during medical procedures. Also known as tissue forceps or surgical forceps, these instruments are specifically shaped to provide a secure and controlled grip. Thumb forceps consist of two long, slender arms that are joined by a pivot point, allowing the arms to open and close. The arms are typically straight or curved and terminate in two tips that come together when the forceps are closed.

   The distinguishing feature of thumb forceps is the presence of specially designed serrations or grooves on the inside surfaces of the tips. These serrations provide better grip and increase the instrument's grasping strength, enabling the surgeon to firmly hold tissues or objects without fear of slipping or dropping. The forceps are operated by the thumb and index finger, with the pivot point positioned at the base of the thumb.

   Thumb forceps are primarily used in various surgical procedures, including general surgery, gynecology, urology, and ophthalmology. They are commonly employed for delicate tasks such as holding, manipulating, or removing small tissues, vessels, or foreign objects from the body. The instrument's design allows for precise control and helps to minimize tissue damage during these procedures.

   Thumb forceps are usually made of stainless steel to ensure durability, easy sterilization, and resistance to corrosion. They are available in different sizes and designs to accommodate diverse surgical needs, and they may be straight or curved depending on the intended application.

2. Spring forceps used by compression with thumb and forefinger.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for THUMB FORCEPS

• rhumb forceps
• fhumb forceps
• ghumb forceps
• yhumb forceps
• 6humb forceps
• 5humb forceps
• tgumb forceps
• tbumb forceps
• tnumb forceps
• tjumb forceps
• tuumb forceps
• tyumb forceps
• thymb forceps
• thhmb forceps
• thjmb forceps
• thimb forceps
• th8mb forceps
• th7mb forceps
• thunb forceps
• thukb forceps

Etymology of THUMB FORCEPS

The word "thumb forceps" is derived from two separate sources.

1. Thumb: The term "thumb" derives from the Old English word "thūma" and is related to the Old High German word "thūmo" and Old Norse word "thumb". These words can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "thumô" and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European root "*tum-, *tū-", meaning "swelling, thick".

2. Forceps: The word "forceps" originates from Latin. It is a combination of the Latin words "forca" (meaning "fork") and "capere" (meaning "to take"). "Forca" in Latin developed from the Greek word "phorkos" (meaning "hayfork").