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Thumb forceps are non-locking forceps held between the thumb and fingers, also called pick-ups. This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Who uses them: surgical and clinic staff, veterinary and laboratory teams, and students learning instrument names.
What are thumb forceps used for?
Thumb forceps are used to hold, lift or steady tissue, dressings and sutures. They are non-locking: spring tension at the top end holds the grasping ends apart until the user presses them together. They are held in a pen (pencil) grip rather than a palm grip, and they are often called “pick-ups” (Wikipedia, “Forceps”, read 2026-11-07; University of Saskatchewan WCVM veterinary surgery laboratory notes, read 2026-11-07).
What is another name for a thumb forceps?
The usual alternative names are “pick-ups” and “tissue forceps”, but the naming is not uniform. Wikipedia applies “thumb forceps” or “pick-ups” to the whole family of non-locking forceps. The Saskatchewan veterinary laboratory notes use the terms more narrowly, as the next section explains.
What is the difference between tissue forceps and thumb forceps?
It depends on which convention a source uses. In the Saskatchewan notes, thumb forceps have small grooves but no teeth on the tips, while tissue forceps have teeth that penetrate tissue. Under that convention the difference is the tip: grooved for a gentle grip versus toothed for a firmer one. Wikipedia instead uses “thumb forceps” for non-locking forceps in general, which would include toothed pick-ups. When you read a catalogue or instrument list, check the tip description rather than relying on the name alone.
| Source | “Thumb forceps” means | Toothed pattern called |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia, “Forceps” | Non-locking forceps in general, also called pick-ups | Part of the same non-locking family |
| Univ. of Saskatchewan WCVM lab notes | Grooved tips, no teeth | “Tissue forceps” (for example the standard type, described by tooth count such as 2×1 or 2×3) |
Smooth, serrated and toothed tips
Wikipedia describes tips as smooth, cross-hatched or serrated: serrated tips are used for grasping tissue, while smooth or cross-hatched tips suit dressings and sutures. The Saskatchewan notes describe toothed tissue forceps by the number of teeth on each jaw, written as 2×1 or 2×3. They also name patterns such as Adson (fine tips with broad handles, made smaller for small animals), Brown-Adson (multiple columns of fine interlocking teeth) and DeBakey (a series of longitudinal and transverse grooves, used in thoracic work). For one pattern in detail see Brown-Adson forceps; for a family comparison see the medical forceps types guide.
What are the two main types of forceps?
Wikipedia gives two basic types, non-locking and locking.
| Type | Build | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-locking | Tweezer-like, hinged at the far end, or scissor-like, hinged in the middle | Thumb forceps, pick-ups |
| Locking | Almost always hinged in the middle, with a ratchet on the handles | Hemostats, needle holders |
For the locking side, see what is a hemostat, ring forceps and Gerald forceps.
Materials
Surgical forceps are commonly made of high-grade carbon steel or stainless alloys that tolerate autoclaving. Disposable forceps use lower-grade metal, and some are plastic (Wikipedia, read 2026-11-07).
FDA classification
In the openFDA device classification database (queried 2026-11-07), forceps appear under product codes GEN (“Forceps, General and Plastic Surgery”), HTD (“Forceps”) and HYA (“Forceps, Wire Holding”). All three are listed as device class 1 under 21 CFR 878.4800, “Manual surgical instrument for general use” (text of 21 CFR 878.4800). Check the product’s own labeling for its intended use.
Safe use and handling basics
Reusable instruments need cleaning and sterilisation between uses according to the manufacturer’s instructions; see sterilization technology. Hold the instrument in a pen grip, as the Saskatchewan notes describe, and follow the instructions for use supplied with the product.
Common mistakes
- Assuming “thumb forceps” always means toothless: sources differ, so read the tip description.
- Confusing non-locking forceps with locking ones: only the locking type has a ratchet.
Frequently asked questions
What are thumb forceps used for?
Holding, lifting or steadying tissue, dressings and sutures with a pen grip and spring tension between the arms.
What is the difference between tissue forceps and thumb forceps?
Under the Saskatchewan convention, tissue forceps have teeth and thumb forceps have grooved, toothless tips; other sources use “thumb forceps” for all non-locking forceps.
What is another name for a thumb forceps?
Pick-ups.
What are the two main types of forceps?
Non-locking and locking.
Sources
- Wikipedia, “Forceps”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forceps (read 2026-11-07)
- University of Saskatchewan WCVM, Tissue Forceps (VSAC 205 Lab 1), https://wcvm.usask.ca/vsac205/Lab1/tissue-forceps.php (read 2026-11-07)
- openFDA device classification API, https://api.fda.gov/device/classification.json (queried 2026-11-07)
- 21 CFR 878.4800, https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/878.4800
