Bone wax
Bone Wax
Bone wax (/boʊn wæks/) is a sterile, non-absorbable, waxy substance used to control bleeding from bone surfaces during surgical procedures.
Etymology
The term "bone wax" is derived from its primary components and its application. The word "bone" (/boʊn/) is from the Old English bān, which means "the hard, whitish, connective tissue forming the skeleton of vertebrates". The word "wax" (/wæks/) is from the Old English weax, meaning "a substance secreted by bees and used by them in constructing their honeycomb".
Usage
Bone wax is used in various surgical procedures where bone is cut or drilled to prevent or control bleeding. It is applied directly to the bleeding bone surface and works by mechanically blocking small holes and interstices to stop the flow of blood.
Composition
Bone wax is primarily composed of beeswax, with the addition of a small percentage of isopropyl palmitate, a softening agent, and vaseline, which makes the wax malleable at body temperature.
Related Terms
- Hemostasis: The process of stopping the flow of blood to prevent excessive bleeding.
- Beeswax: A natural wax produced by honey bees.
- Isopropyl palmitate: An ester derived from isopropanol and palmitic acid.
- Vaseline: A brand of petroleum jelly based products.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bone wax
- Wikipedia's article - Bone wax
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