Sternal saw
Sternal Saw
A Sternal Saw (pronounced: stur-nuhl saw) is a specialized medical instrument used primarily in thoracic surgery to cut through or remove parts of the sternum, a long flat bone located in the center of the chest.
Etymology
The term "Sternal Saw" is derived from two words. "Sternal" comes from the Latin word "sternum," which means chest. The word "saw" is derived from Old English "sagu," which means to cut.
Usage
The Sternal Saw is used in procedures such as sternotomy, where the sternum is split or cut to provide access to the thoracic cavity. This is often necessary in major surgeries such as heart bypass surgery or lung transplant. The saw is designed to cut through bone without damaging surrounding soft tissues.
Related Terms
- Thoracic Surgery: The field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax (the chest), excluding the heart.
- Sternum: The breastbone, a flat bone that forms the middle front of the rib cage and is connected to the ribs by cartilage.
- Sternotomy: A surgical procedure that separates the sternum in half to access the heart and lungs.
- Heart Bypass Surgery: A surgical procedure that improves blood flow to the heart. Surgeons use a Sternal Saw to access the heart.
- Lung Transplant: A surgical procedure to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy lungs. A Sternal Saw is used to open the chest cavity.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sternal saw
- Wikipedia's article - Sternal saw
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