Which surgical instruments are specifically designed to cut or bite away at bone and tissue?

• A. Scissors
• B. Forceps
• C. Rongeurs
• D. Scalpels

Answer: (C)

Rongeurs are designed specifically for cutting and biting away at bone and tissue, making them essential surgical instruments in procedures where it is necessary to remove or reshape bony structures. They have a strong jaw design that allows for effective nibbling or bite-like action, which is particularly useful in orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures. The design of rongeurs allows the surgeon to access hard-to-reach areas and manipulate bone with precision while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Scissors, while versatile in the surgical field, are primarily used for cutting soft tissues and sutures rather than bone. They have a variety of shapes and sizes but do not provide the same function as rongeurs. Forceps are intended for grasping, holding, or manipulating tissues and do not serve the purpose of cutting tissue or bone. Scalpels are traditional cutting instruments used to make incisions in skin or soft tissues but are not designed for the specific task of biting away at bone or other firm structures, as rongeurs are.

Thus, the distinction lies in the specialized design and functional purpose of rongeurs in relation to other surgical instruments, solidifying their role in cutting bone and tissue effectively.