ISO 7554-1:2026

International
Standard
ISO 7554-1
First edition
Surgical instruments — Terms,
2026-08
measuring methods and test
methods —
Part 1:
Vocabulary
Instruments chirurgicaux — Termes, méthodes de mesurage et
méthodes d'essai —
Partie 1: Vocabulaire
Reference number
© ISO 2026
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Terms related to general components of surgical instruments .1
3.2 Terms related to tweezers and their components .5
3.2.1 Terms related to types of tweezers .5
3.2.2 Terms related to leg forms of tweezers .7
3.2.3 Terms related to jaw types of tweezers .9
3.2.4 Terms related to connection types of tweezers . 12
3.2.5 Terms related to grip surfaces of tweezers . 12
3.2.6 Terms related to pins of tweezers . 13
3.3 Terms related to scissors and shears .14
3.3.1 Terms related to types of scissors and shears .14
3.3.2 Terms related to scissors and shears forms .17
3.3.3 Terms related to blade types of scissors and shears .19
3.3.4 Terms related to branch types of scissors and shears . 22
3.4 Terms related to ring forceps . 23
3.4.1 Terms related to types of ring forceps . 23
3.4.2 Terms related to jaw types of ring forceps . 28
3.4.3 Terms related to ring forms of ring forceps .31
3.4.4 Terms related to pins of ring forceps .31
3.5 Terms related to forceps .32
3.5.1 Terms related to types of forceps .32
3.5.2 Terms related to branch forms of forceps . 34
3.5.3 Terms related to jaw types of forceps . 36
3.5.4 Terms related to branch types of forceps . 40
3.5.5 Terms related to grip surface of forceps . 40
3.5.6 Terms related to spring types of forceps .41
3.5.7 Terms related to interlocks of forceps .42
3.6 Terms related to needle holders . 44
3.6.1 Terms related to needle holder types . 44
3.6.2 Terms related to jaw geometry of needle holders . 44
3.6.3 Terms related to serrations of needle holders .45
3.6.4 Terms related to latches used for needle holders .45
3.7 Terms related to retractors and their components .47
3.7.1 Terms related to retractor types .47
3.7.2 Terms related to retractor hooks .47
3.8 Terms related to elevators and their components . 48
3.9 Terms related to osteotomes and chisels and their components . 49
3.10 Terms related to spoons and their components . 50
3.11 Terms related to nose forceps or conchotomes and their components .51
3.11.1 Terms related to nose forceps or conchotomes types .51
3.11.2 Terms related to jaw types of nose forceps or conchotome .51

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 170, Surgical instruments.
A list of all parts in the ISO 7554 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
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iv
International Standard ISO 7554-1:2026(en)
Surgical instruments — Terms, measuring methods and test
methods —
Part 1:
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document defines terms for surgical instruments and their components.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Terms related to general components of surgical instruments
3.1.1
stop pin
mounting part for the restriction of the radius or range of action of the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, tweezers, forceps.
3.1.2
working end
functional jaw part on the distal end (3.1.3) of an instrument
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders and forceps.
3.1.3
distal end
end of the instrument facing the patient
3.1.4
cutting edge
part of the working end (3.1.2) that severs tissue, organs, ribs, bones and medical supplies
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for scalpels, knives, scissors and shears.
3.1.5
biseau
support surface for the tissue to be severed

3.1.6
blade
anterior functional part for severing or holding
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for retractors and scissors and shears.
3.1.7
leaf spring
element of instruments with branches (3.1.9) to open or close the working end (3.1.2) using spring force
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, needle holders and scissors and shears.
3.1.8
blade back
part of the blade (3.1.6) that is opposite to the cutting edge (3.1.4)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for scissors and shears.
3.1.9
branch
shank
part of the instrument from the end of the joint (3.1.36) to the proximal end (3.1.12) or ring (3.1.32)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, needle holders, scissors and shears.
3.1.10
latch
fixture to hold the instrument in a locked state
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for retractors and forceps.
3.1.11
double leaf spring
multi-part element of instruments with branches (3.1.9) to open or close the working end (3.1.2) using spring
force
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for needle holders, clamps, forceps, scissors and shears.
3.1.12
proximal end
part of the instrument facing the user
Note 1 to entry: This term usually designates the handle of the instrument and is common for clamps, needle holders,
tweezers and forceps.
3.1.13
wire cutter notch
groove in a cutting edge (3.1.4) to cut wire
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, scissors and shears.
3.1.14
spring
elastic part of the tweezer between mirror and connection part
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for tweezers.
3.1.15
fenestration
recess or opening in the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, needle holders and tweezers.

3.1.16
sliding block
protection and guide sleeve
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps.
3.1.17
grip surface
part of the branch (3.1.9) used to hold and operate the instrument
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders, tweezers, forceps, scissors and shears.
3.1.18
hook
prong
bent or angled tip at the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, retractors, scissors and shears.
3.1.19
horn
protrusion on the branches (3.1.9) to prevent slippage of the hand
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for scissors, shears, clamps and forceps.
3.1.20
groove
longitudinal or circular-concave recess of jaw surfaces (3.1.29) or handles
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, needle holders and tweezers.
3.1.21
club handle
pear shaped hollow handle (3.1.23) used to grip and operate the plaster scissors
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for scissors and shears.
3.1.22
fenestrated handle
handle used to pull
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for retractors.
3.1.23
hollow handle
handle used to reduce the weight of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for retractors, curettes, raspatories.
3.1.24
knob
blunt element protruding from the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for probes, scissors and shears.
3.1.25
moveable part
part of an instrument with a ring (3.1.32) where the joining element (screw or pin) is not fixed
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for forceps and scissors and shears.

3.1.26
rigid part
part of an instrument with a ring (3.1.32) where the joining element (screw or pin) is fixed
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for forceps and scissors and shears.
3.1.27
jaw
functional component of working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, needle holders and tweezers.
3.1.28
jaw width
width of the functional component of the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, needle holders and tweezers.
3.1.29
jaw surface
part of the working end (3.1.2) that grips, holds or severs tissue, organs, medical supplies or medical
equipment
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders, tweezers and forceps.
3.1.30
jaw serration
serration
profile of the jaw surfaces (3.1.29)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders, tweezers and forceps.
3.1.31
mouse tooth
sharp tapered teeth for traumatic gripping of tissue
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, tweezers and forceps.
3.1.32
ring
circular part at the proximal end (3.1.12) for entry of the fingers
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders, forceps and scissors.
3.1.33
scraper
sharp angled edge at the end of the connection part
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for tweezers and knives.
3.1.34
actuator
moveable component that activates the function in instruments with sliding shaft
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for scissors, shears, bone punches, rongeurs and conchotomes.
3.1.35
lock
component to hold the instrument in a locked state
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for tweezers.

3.1.36
joint
part of the instrument with which the two instrument parts are rotatably connected
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders, forceps, scissors and shears.
3.1.37
interlock
ratchet
component to lock the instrument in a defined position
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, needle holders, tweezers and forceps.
3.1.38
set screw
component to variably lock the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for tweezers and forceps.
3.1.39
guiding pin
component that prevents lateral shifting of the working end (3.1.2) from the intended position
Note 1 to entry: This term is common for clamps, forceps, and tweezers.
3.2 Terms related to tweezers and their components
3.2.1 Terms related to types of tweezers
3.2.1.1
tweezers with guiding pin (standard assembly)
instrument with a jaw (3.1.27) that is pushed apart by spring force
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.

Key
1 jaw surface (3.1.29)
2 gripping surface
3 spring (3.1.14)
4 guiding pin (3.1.39)
5 leg
6 connection part
7 jaw width (3.1.28)
8 jaw (3.1.27)
9 mirror
Figure 1 — Tweezers with guiding pin
3.2.1.2
tweezers with spring lock
instrument with a jaw (3.1.27) that is pushed apart by spring force and that can be locked in a defined
position with a lock (3.1.35) which automatically locks when a defined jaw closure position is reached
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2.
Key
1 lock (3.1.35)
Figure 2 — Tweezers with spring lock
3.2.1.3
tweezers with pin lock
instrument with a jaw (3.1.27) that is pushed apart by spring force and that can be locked manually in a
defined position with a slider
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3.

Key
1 pin
2 lock (3.1.35)
Figure 3 — Tweezers with pin lock
3.2.1.4
tweezers with set screw
instrument with a jaw (3.1.27) that is pushed apart by spring force and that can be locked by being pressed
together with a set screw (3.1.38)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 4.
Key
1 set screw (3.1.38)
Figure 4 — Tweezers with set screw
3.2.2 Terms related to leg forms of tweezers
3.2.2.1
tweezers with straight legs
tweezers with a base line that is a straight line in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 5.

Figure 5 — Straight legs
3.2.2.2
tweezers with bent legs
tweezers with slightly bent legs
tweezers with a base line that is bent sideways in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 6.
Figure 6 — Bent, slightly bent legs
3.2.2.3
tweezers with double-bent legs
tweezers with a base line that is bent sideways twice in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
Figure 7 — Double bent legs
3.2.2.4
tweezers with knee-angled legs
tweezers with knee-bent legs
tweezers with a base line that is knee-bent in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 8.
Figure 8 — Knee-angled, knee-bent legs

3.2.2.5
tweezers with bayonet-shaped legs
tweezers with a special shape that allows surgeons to work without blocking their own line of view
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 9.
Figure 9 — Bayonet-shaped legs
3.2.2.6
tweezers with crossed legs
tweezers with special type of legs, where the spring force holds the closed position
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 10.
Figure 10 — Crossed legs
3.2.3 Terms related to jaw types of tweezers
3.2.3.1
smooth jaws
jaws without serration (3.1.30) or teeth on the jaw surface (3.1.29)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 11.
Figure 11 — Smooth anatomical jaw
3.2.3.2
smooth surgical jaws
jaws without serration (3.1.30) but with a mouse tooth (3.1.31) on the jaw surface (3.1.29)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 12.

Figure 12 — Smooth surgical jaws with mouse tooth on the jaw surface
3.2.3.3
plateau
partial elevated grasping surface at the working end (3.1.2)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 13.
Key
1 plateau
Figure 13 — Plateau
3.2.3.4
anatomical, windowed, round or oval jaws
jaws with a special geometry, to grasp larger areas of tissue securely
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 14.
Key
1 window
From top to bottom: round; oval.
Figure 14 — Anatomical windowed jaws
3.2.3.5
serrated, anatomical jaw
jaws with a specific cross-serrated pattern
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 15.

Key
1 serration (3.1.30)
Figure 15 — Serrated, anatomical jaws
3.2.3.6
serrated, atraumatic jaws
jaws with a specific toothed pattern designed to grasp fragile tissues securely without causing damage
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 16.
From top to bottom: type “De Bakey”; type “Cooley”.
Figure 16 — Serrated, atraumatic jaws
3.2.3.7
serrated, windowed jaws
oval jaws with cross-serrated surface and window to grasp tissue securely
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17.
Key
1 window
Figure 17 — Serrated, windowed jaws

3.2.3.8
serrated, surgical jaws
jaws with mouse tooth (3.1.31) and a serrated area
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 18.
Note 2 to entry: The serration (3.1.30) can have 1×2 teeth, 2×3 teeth, etc.
Figure 18 — Serrated, surgical jaws (1×2 teeth)
3.2.4 Terms related to connection types of tweezers
3.2.4.1
two-part tweezer joint
instrument made out of two single parts, joined at the proximal end (3.1.12)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 19.
Figure 19 — Two-part tweezer joint
3.2.4.2
one-part tweezer joint
u-shaped instrument produced of one single part bent at the proximal end (3.1.12)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 20.
Figure 20 — One-part tweezer joint
3.2.5 Terms related to grip surfaces of tweezers
3.2.5.1
cross-grooved grip surface
grip surface (3.1.17) with a cross-grooved pattern for a secure holding
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 21.
Figure 21 — Cross-grooved grip surface

3.2.5.2
longitudinally grooved grip surface
grip surface (3.1.17) with a longitudinally grooved pattern for a secure holding
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 22.
Figure 22 — Longitudinally grooved grip surface
3.2.5.3
smooth grip surface
feature on legs surface for manual operation without grip enhancing structure
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 23.
Figure 23 — Smooth grip surface
3.2.6 Terms related to pins of tweezers
3.2.6.1
guiding pin
feature on tweezer legs to prevent lateral shifting of the jaws, by guiding a pin through a hole in
the opposite leg
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 24.
Figure 24 — Guiding pin
3.2.6.2
stop pin
feature on tweezers to limit further compression of the jaw surfaces (3.1.29), operated by a pin
resisting on the opposite leg
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 25.

Figure 25 — Stop pin for tweezers
3.2.6.3
guiding pin with end stop
feature on tweezer that combines the principle of guiding pin (3.2.6.1) to prevent lateral shifting of the jaw
surfaces (3.1.29) (legs) with a stop pin (3.2.6.2) to limit further compression of the jaw surfaces
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 26.
Figure 26 — Guiding pin with end stop
3.3 Terms related to scissors and shears
3.3.1 Terms related to types of scissors and shears
3.3.1.1
scissors with rings
cutting instrument with blades that are opened and closed by actuating the rings (3.1.32)
Note 1 to entry: Figure 27 shows a standard assembly for scissors.

Key
1 cutting edge (3.1.4)
2 blade back (3.1.8)
3 blades (3.1.6)
4 branch (3.1.9)
5 rings (3.1.32)
Figure 27 — Scissors with ring
3.3.1.2
shears with branches and leaf springs
instrument for cutting with blades that are opened by spring force and closed with branches (3.1.9)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 28.
Key
1 gripping surface
2 leaf spring (3.1.7)
3 shank (3.1.9)
Figure 28 — Shears with branches and leaf spring
3.3.1.3
plaster scissors with club handle
instrument used to safely cut plaster and fiberglass casts, designed to cut through thick material without
damaging the underlying skin
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 29.

Key
1 club handle (3.1.21)
2 shank (3.1.9)
Figure 29 — Plaster scissors with club handles
3.3.1.4
pincer-type scissors
instrument for cutting with blades that are opened and closed by actuating the moveable part (3.1.25)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 30.
Key
1 blades (3.1.6)
2 actuator (3.1.34)
3 shank (3.1.9)
4 cutting edge (3.1.4)
5 movable part
Figure 30 — Pincer type scissors

3.3.2 Terms related to scissors and shears forms
3.3.2.1
bent
having a base line that is bent out of the plane of the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 31.
Figure 31 — Bent
3.3.2.2
knee-angled
having a base line that is bent on the plane of the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 32.
Figure 32 — Knee angled
3.3.2.3
bent sideways
having a base line that is bent to one side in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 33.
Figure 33 — Bent sideways
3.3.2.4
bent, S-shaped
having a base line that is bent in an S-form in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 34.

Figure 34 — Bent, S-shaped
3.3.2.5
bent sideways bayonet-shaped
having a base line that is bent to the side in a bayonet shape
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 35.
Figure 35 — Bent sideways, bayonet shaped
3.3.2.6
branches angled or angled on one side
branches that are angled or angled on one side in relation to the base line of the instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 36.
Figure 36 — Branches angled or angled on one side

3.3.2.7
straight scissors
scissors with a straight base line
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 37.
Figure 37 — Straight scissors
3.3.3 Terms related to blade types of scissors and shears
3.3.3.1
blunt, rounded blade exterior
blade where both tips are blunt, and with a
...