[Cutting and incision tools: the scalpel and its general characteristics]

The scalpel is the best known cutting tool; surgery techniques image par excellence is the scalpel. Its use to incise an opening in surgery is well-known, although the use of a scalpel in surgery is much wider than commonly thought to be. Throughout this and other articles, up until now unedited, the author plans to review the characteristics of different models; the keys to identify and associate scalpels according to their use and purposes shall be presented. These articles should be of interest as a means to define the contents of tool kits to all those professionals who wish to widen their theoretical and technical development.