A surgical clamp designed to hold or grasp tissue during dissection, commonly used to grasp the cervix. [L. a holder, fr. teneo, to hold]
- tenacula tendinum a tendinous restraining structure, such an extensor or flexor retinaculum; historically applied to the vincula of tendon which are not however, restraining structures.
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te·nac·u·lum tə-'nak-yə-ləm n, pl -la -.lə or -lums a slender sharp-pointed hook attached to a handle and used mainly in surgery for seizing and holding parts (as arteries)
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n.
1. a sharp wire hook with a handle. The instrument is used in surgical operations to pick up pieces of tissue or the cut end of an artery.
2. a band of fibrous tissue that holds a part of the body in place.
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te·nac·u·lum (tə-nakґu-ləm) [L.] 1. a hooklike instrument for seizing and holding tissues. 2. a fibrous band that holds structures in place; see also retinaculum.
(A), Tenaculums; (B, C), tips.
Medical dictionary. 2011.