The tenaculum resembles a pair of scissors with sharp-pointed hooks at the end. For procedures that require access to the uterus, gynecologists insert the tenaculum into the vagina, piercing the cervix tissue to seize and pull it steadily (e.g. during IUD insertion).

How do you hold your cervix with tenaculum?

The tenaculum is to be placed on the anterior lip of the cervix. After visualization of the anterior lip of the cervix, open the tenaculum and close it slowly over 5 seconds to the first ratcheted click. No more than 1 cm of cervix should be grasped between your tenaculum teeth.

What's a tenaculum used for?

A tenaculum is a surgical instrument, usually classified as a type of forceps. It consists of a slender sharp-pointed hook attached to a handle and is used mainly in surgery for seizing and holding parts, such as blood vessels.