curette

instrument

Also known as: curet

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

A curette is a surgical instrument used in a procedure called curettage. This procedure involves scraping the lining of a body cavity, most commonly the uterus, to remove foreign matter, growths, or diseased tissue. Curettes are designed with a scoop, ring, or loop at the tip and can be blunt or sharp. They are essential tools for obtaining tissue samples for diagnosis, particularly in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding. The term "curette" can also be used as a verb, meaning to perform curettage.123

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curettage
Curettage is performed with the curette (or curet), a scoop- or hoe-shaped instrument, scalpel-sized, which may be blunt or sharp.
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Curettage is performed with the curette (or curet), a scoop- or hoe-shaped instrument, scalpel-sized, which may be blunt or sharp.
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abortion
…thin metal tool called a curette is used to scrape (rather than vacuum out) the contents of the uterus, the procedure is called dilatation and curettage. When combined with dilatation, both evacuation and curettage can be used up to about the 16th week of pregnancy.
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…thin metal tool called a curette is used to scrape (rather than vacuum out) the contents of the uterus, the procedure is called dilatation and curettage. When combined with dilatation, both evacuation and curettage can be used up to about the 16th week of pregnancy.
Read More