Which statement about suture sizing is true?

• A. The bigger the number the larger the diameter.
• B. Diameter is constant across numbers.
• C. The number indicates color code only.
• D. The bigger the number the smaller the diameter.

Answer: (D)

Suture sizing uses an inverse scale: the larger the size designation (more zeros or higher numbers), the thinner the suture diameter. This means you can choose a finer suture for delicate tissue or a thicker one for stronger tissue by selecting a higher numeric size. The reason this matters is that thinner sutures cause less tissue trauma and are easier to pass in fine work, while thicker sutures provide greater strength where needed.

Color coding is just labeling and varies by manufacturer, but it does not define the actual diameter. The diameter is not constant across sizes; it decreases as the size designation increases.