Bowden Cable
Pronunciation: BOH-den KAY-bul
A flexible inner cable running through an outer housing that transmits body movement to operate a body-powered prosthetic component.
Full Definition
Named after its inventor, a Bowden cable consists of a stainless-steel or braided wire core enclosed in a compressive outer sheath. In prosthetics, it conveys the mechanical force generated by shoulder depression, scapular abduction, or elbow flexion to open or close a terminal device or to flex a prosthetic elbow. Editors should spell the term with a capital B as it is an eponym. The full phrase 'Bowden cable' is preferred over simply 'cable' in clinical and technical documentation to avoid ambiguity.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalise 'Bowden' as it is an eponym. Do not write 'bowden cable' in edited documents.
In Context
- "The Bowden cable was routed anteriorly to allow maximal excursion during elbow flexion." — Prosthetic fabrication report
- "Editors should note that 'Bowden cable' takes an initial capital, as it is an eponymic term." — Style guide note