hook

1. An instrument curved or bent near its tip, used for fixation of a part or traction. 2. hamulus. [A.S. hok]

- calvarial h. an instrument used in prying off the top of the skull after it has been sawed around, at autopsies and dissections.

- h. of hamate a hooklike process on the distal and medial part of the palmar surface of the hamate bone. SYN: hamulus ossis hamati [TA].

- palate h. an instrument for pulling forward the soft palate in order to facilitate posterior rhinoscopy.

- sliding h. a movable attachment used on an orthodontic wire for the application of elastic traction or headgear force.

- h. of spiral lamina SYN: hamulus of spiral lamina.

- squint h. a surgical instrument used to lift ocular muscles.

- tracheotomy h. right-angled h. used in holding the trachea steady during tracheotomy.

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hook 'hu̇k n

1) an instrument used in surgery to take hold of tissue <a crypt \hook> <a cordotomy \hook>

2) an anatomical part that resembles a hook

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n.

a surgical instrument with a bent or curved tip, used to hold, lift, or retract tissue at operation.

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(hook) 1. a curved instrument, usually with a sharp point, designed for holding, elevating, or exerting traction on a tissue. 2. something with a long, thin, curved shape resembling that of this instrument; see hamulus and uncus.