![[Pasted image 20241126143631.png]] The **#10 blade** is a commonly used blade for surgical applications. It is used for making large incisions through skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is similar to the #20 blade, which is somewhat larger (*which is poorly demonstrated in the picture above*). The #20 blade is used for larger incisions through thicker tissues or for dissection of the soft tissues in larger animals. Blades #10, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are all curved and said to have a "belly." They are all used for making incisions. The sharpest area on these blades is **the apex of curve at the belly**. This is the spot on the blade which is used for making the incision. Since the #15 is the smallest of these belly blades, it is often used for small animal surgery where short, precise incisions are required. It could also be used to remove skin lesions, perform an organ biopsy or in fine neurological applications. Larger blades like the #22 and #23 are designed for making bigger incisions like those required for a thoracotomy or a laparotomy. A **#11 blade** is a triangular blade with a sharp point, also called a stabbing blade. This scalpel is used for making stab-style incisions and short, precision cuts. Often these cuts are made in shallow or recessed areas. For example, it could be used for inserting chest tubes or drains or for making a cut in a blood vessel where you need to insert a catheter. The #12 blade is curved and is frequently used for removing sutures. It can be used to hook something that's on a stalk. #### Scalpel Blade #10 Blade #10 has a large, curved cutting edge that looks similar to the shape of a traditional blade. This scalpel blade is used to make large incisions and cut soft tissues. #### Scalpel Blade #11 Blade #11 has a long and triangular shape. The hypotenuse is the sharpest edge on the blade. This blade is used to make short, precise cuts that are not too deep because of its pointed tip. #### Scalpel Blade #12 Blade #12 is a small and pointed instrument with a crescent-shaped blade. It is sharper on the inside edge of the curve and is mostly used as a suture cutter. #### Scalpel Blade #15 Blade #15 is small and has a curved cutting edge. It is used for making short, precise incisions. #### Scalpel Blade #20 Blade #20 is a large and curved blade. It is used to cut tissues and in procedures wherein, the surgeon has to make an incision or puncture. #### Scalpel Blade #21 Blade #21 is similar to #20 with a large curved edge. It is also used for procedures where you need to cut tissues or make a puncture. #### Scalpel Blade #22 Blade #22 is a larger version of #10. It has a short curved cutting edge that is flat. The back edge is unsharpened. Blade #22 is used to make large incisions, often passing through thick skin. #### Scalpel Blade #23 Blade #23 is a leaf-shaped blade that is sharpened along the edge. The blade is used for making long incisions in areas such as the upper midline of the abdomen to repair a perforated gastric ulcer.