A surgical instrument (10) includes a rigid stem section (12) defining a
longitudinal axis (32) of the surgical instrument. The rigid stem section
(12) has a central passage (86) for aspirating human tissue through the
rigid stem section. A flexible stem section (14) extends from the rigid
stem section (12). The flexible stem section (14) has a central passage
(86) for aspirating human tissue through the flexible stem section. The
flexible stem (14) section has a distal end portion (68) defining a
suction opening (74) of the surgical instrument (10). The suction opening
(74) communicates with the central passage (86) of the flexible stem
section (14). The flexible stem section (14) comprises a bendable outer
tubular member (60) and a bendable inner tubular member (90) slidable
within the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member (60) has a
neutral axis of bending (66). The inner tubular member (90) has a neutral
axis of bending (102) spaced apart from the neutral axis of bending (66)
of the outer tubular member (60). The flexible stem section (14) is
movable between a plurality of orientations relative to the axis (32) in
response to relative sliding movement between the inner and outer tubular
members (90, 60).