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curette

A surgical instrument with a small spoon- or loop-shaped tip used to scrape tissue.

kyoo-RET noun

What it means

An instrument with a sharp or blunt cup or ring at the end of a handle. It is used to scrape tissue from a surface or cavity, such as the lining of the uterus in a dilation and curettage (D&C), bone, or the ear canal. The tissue removed is often sent as a specimen.

At a glance

Also writtencuret, curettes, curets

Related terms

retractor

A surgical instrument that holds back tissue or organs so the surgeon can see and reach the operative site.

rongeur

A strong surgical instrument with sharp, cup-shaped jaws used to bite away small pieces of bone.

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