skalpeln

Skalpeln, or scalpel, is a small, highly sharpened knife used to make incisions and perform precise tissue dissection in medical and laboratory procedures. It typically consists of a handle and a detachable blade; many modern scalpels use a reusable metal handle with disposable blades that snap into place, while some are entirely disposable.

Blades are made of stainless steel or carbon steel and come in various shapes and sizes. Common straight blades include No. 10 for general incisions, No. 11 for stab incisions, No. 12 for curved incisions, and No. 15 for precision work; curved or specialized blades are also available for delicate dissections. Handles are usually aluminum or stainless steel.

Uses: Widely used in surgery, autopsy, and laboratory dissection. The scalpel is chosen for its sharpness and control, allowing clean incisions with minimal tissue trauma.

Sterilization and safety: Blades are sterile and single-use or sterilized for reuse depending on design. They are disposed of as medical waste after use; improper handling can cause injuries, so sterilization and aseptic technique are essential.

History: The term scalpel derives from Latin scalpare, to carve. Modern scalpels with standardized disposable blades emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries with improvements in sterility.