What term describes the tendency of suture material to straighten out after loops have formed?

• A. Elasticity
• B. Flexibility
• C. Fracture resistance
• D. Memory

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is the suture’s tendency to revert to its preformed shape after being deformed. When you form loops in suturing, the material is bent and twisted from its original form. If the suture has memory, it tends to reclaim that original shape, causing the loops to straighten or loosen. This rebound can affect knot security and loop stability during the procedure.

This behavior is different from elasticity, which is about how stretchable a material is and its return to length under tensile load. Flexibility refers to how easily the suture can bend, not its tendency to revert to a previous shape. Fracture resistance is about how much force the suture can withstand before breaking. Memory specifically describes that tendency to return to the original form after deformation, which is why it’s the right term for this scenario.