suture
SOO-cher
/ˈmaɪkrəʊtʃɪp/
A stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision.
Refers both to the thread used and the act of sewing the wound.
The story behind the word. Comes from the Latin 'suere,' meaning 'to sew.' It is the same root that gives us 'sew' and 'suit.' In medicine, it has been used since ancient times to describe the closing of wounds.
Word relationships
- stitch: The common, non-medical term.
Collocations
- absorbable suture
- remove sutures
- surgical suture
Example sentences
- "The veterinarian used a dissolvable suture so the dog wouldn't need to return for removal." Post-operative care.
- "The surgeon began to suture the incision after the successful removal of the tumor." Surgical procedure.
Memory hook
It sounds like 'SEW-ture'—you are sewing the skin. Medical sewing.
When not to use
In casual talk, people usually just say 'stitches.'
Fun facts
- Ancient sutures were made from materials like catgut, silk, and even ant mandibles.
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