General Surgery Sutures and Wound Repair Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive ABSA Exam Prep

Surgical gut, commonly used as a type of absorbable suture, is specifically made from the submucosa layer of sheep's intestines. This layer contains collagen, which provides strength and durability, making it suitable for surgical sutures that need to hold tissue together during the healing process. The submucosa is rich in blood vessels and connective tissue, allowing for a reliable absorption rate when used in surgical applications.

The other options involve tissues that are not typically used for this purpose. For instance, the dermis layer of cattle may have some connective tissue but does not provide the same properties needed for effective absorbable sutures. The epicardium layer of pigs, which is a layer of the heart, does not possess the characteristics necessary for sutures. Similarly, muscle tissue from goats lacks the structural features that make the submucosa a preferred choice for surgical gut. This specificity in suture material explains why the submucosa layer of sheep's intestines is selected for surgical gut manufacturing.