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bisturí means scalpel — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: February 1, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

bisturí

noun • /[bis-tu-RI]/

scalpel

Example:

El bisturí debe estar esterilizado.

The scalpel must be sterilized.

🧠 What does bisturí mean?

Un bisturí is a small, extremely sharp knife used by surgeons and in various scientific disciplines for making precise incisions. As a masculine noun (el bisturí), it refers specifically to this surgical instrument, which consists of a handle and a disposable blade.

📚 Extra examples

  • El cirujano realizó una incisión precisa con el bisturí.
    The surgeon made a precise incision with the scalpel.
  • La enfermera le pasó el bisturí al doctor con mucho cuidado.
    The nurse carefully passed the scalpel to the doctor.
  • Para esta disección, necesitaremos un bisturí con una hoja del número 10.
    For this dissection, we will need a scalpel with a number 10 blade.

💡 Did You Know?

The Spanish word 'bisturí' comes from the French 'bistouri'. Its origin is thought to be linked to the Italian city of Pistoia, which was renowned in the 15th century for manufacturing high-quality daggers.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "bisturí"

Synonyms: escalpelo, lanceta, cuchillo quirúrgico

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'scalpel' in Spanish?
The most common Spanish word for 'scalpel' is 'bisturí'. It is a masculine noun: 'el bisturí'. Another synonym is 'escalpelo'.
How do you pronounce 'bisturí' in Spanish?
The word 'bisturí' is pronounced bees-too-REE. The stress falls on the final syllable, which is indicated by the accent mark on the 'í'.
How do you use 'bisturí' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'El equipo médico se aseguró de que cada bisturí estuviera esterilizado.' This means: 'The medical team made sure that every scalpel was sterilized.'
What is the English translation of 'bisturí'?
The English translation of 'bisturí' is 'scalpel'.
Does 'bisturí' change for gender or number?
'Bisturí' is a masculine noun, so it uses masculine articles like 'el' and 'un'. Its plural form is 'bisturíes' (los bisturíes), which follows the standard rule for Spanish nouns ending in a stressed vowel.
Is 'bisturí' common in everyday Spanish?
The word 'bisturí' is primarily used in medical, scientific, or technical contexts. It is not common in general, everyday conversation unless the topic is surgery or a related field.
Does 'bisturí' have slang or double meanings?
While its primary meaning is literal, 'bisturí' can be used metaphorically to describe something done with extreme precision or sharpness, such as 'un análisis con bisturí' (an analysis with a scalpel) to mean a very detailed, critical analysis. It is not a slang term.
Is 'bisturí' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'bisturí' is standard medical terminology and is used and understood consistently across both Spain and Latin America. There are no significant regional variations.

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