Which instrument is often used to elevate a blood vessel during embalming?

The instrument commonly used to elevate a blood vessel during the embalming process is arterial forceps. These specialized forceps are designed with a wide jaw and a slender profile, allowing for precise manipulation and access to the blood vessels without causing undue trauma to the surrounding tissues.

During embalming, the process often involves locating and securing blood vessels to facilitate fluid injection. Arterial forceps not only help in elevating the vessel but also efficiently clamp it when needed to ensure that the injector can introduce embalming fluid effectively. Their construction allows embalmers to establish a secure grip on the vessel, ensuring the procedure is both accurate and controlled.

In contrast, other options have different primary purposes: scalpels are used for making incisions, hemostats are utilized to control bleeding by clamping blood vessels, and suture needles are intended for stitching tissues together rather than handling vessels directly during the embalming process.