Iron was the most commonly used material for surgical instruments in the Middle Ages due to its strength, durability, and affordability.

The tourniquet, a device used to restrict blood flow, was not commonly used in the Middle Ages as it was not yet widely understood how to control bleeding effectively.

The trephine was primarily used to create holes in the skull, often to relieve pressure or treat head injuries.

Blood transfusions were not performed in the Middle Ages as the concept of blood circulation was not yet fully understood.

Cauterization, the process of burning a wound, was used to stop bleeding and prevent infection.

Silk was not commonly used for bandages in the Middle Ages due to its high cost and rarity.

The speculum was primarily used to examine the vagina and cervix for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

Gray's Anatomy, a modern anatomy textbook, was not written in the Middle Ages.

Urinalysis, the examination of urine, was used to diagnose various medical conditions.

Organ transplantation was not performed in the Middle Ages due to the lack of understanding of anesthesia and surgical techniques.

The pestle and mortar was primarily used to grind herbs and other ingredients for medicinal purposes.

Vaccination, the process of introducing a weakened or inactivated pathogen into the body to stimulate immunity, was not practiced in the Middle Ages.

Medieval syringes were primarily used to withdraw fluids, such as pus or blood, from the body.

The stethoscope, a device used to listen to sounds within the body, was not invented until the 19th century.

Medieval catheters were primarily used to drain urine from the bladder.