Engineering:Cranioclast

Short description: Surgical instrument

A cranioclast (from Greek κρανίον kranion "head, scull" and -κλάστης -klastes "breaker") is surgical instrument akin to a strong forceps. It was once used to crush and then extract the skull of a fetus so as to facilitate delivery in cases of obstructed labour.

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See also

• Cephalotribe
• Puerperal fever
• Instruments used in general surgery