tenaculum

/təˈnækjələm/
noun
  1. A surgical instrument with a sharp hook, used for grasping or holding parts of the body, such as tissue or a blood vessel.
    • The tenaculum's sharp hook allowed the dentist to grip the tooth firmly.
    • In the operating room, the nurse handed the doctor a sterilized tenaculum.
    • The surgeon used a tenaculum to hold the tissue steady during the procedure.