endotomes

Noun

endotome (plural endotomes)

1. The somite cells that eventually give rise to the endothelium.
   • The tegmens are indeed similar and the composition of the cups are about the same but the organisation of the arms of Thamnocrinus with pronounced endotome branching and completely fixed main arm trunk must have differed considerably from Stamnocrinus devonicus.1962, Albert Breimer, Collected papers - Volume 1, page 64
2. A medical instrument consisting of scissors with curved blades and long crossing handles, originally used for decapitating a fetus.
   • Having perforated, he then passes into the cranium an endotome, which consists of scissors having short curved, very strong blades, worked by long, powerful crossing handles, resembling Nägele's perforator;1864, British and Foreign Medico-chirurgical Review - Volume 34, page 553
3. A retractable blade that allows great control over the depth of an incision, used for myotomy and arthrotomy.
   • The endotome is introduced through the left upper quadrant port; the blade advanced out of its sheath in its entirety.1993, John N. Graber, Leonard S. Schultz, Joseph J. Pietrafitta, Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery