retractor

American  

[ri-trak-ter] / rɪˈtræk tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that retracts.

2. Anatomy. a muscle that retracts an organ or protruded part.

3. Surgery. an instrument or appliance for drawing back an impeding part, as the edge of an incision.

4. a mechanism, device, or the like that regulates retraction.

   to adjust the retractor on a seat belt.

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retractor British  

/ rɪˈtræktə /

noun

1. anatomy any of various muscles that retract an organ or part

2. surgery an instrument for holding back the edges of a surgical incision or organ or part

3. a person or thing that retracts

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Etymology

Origin of retractor

First recorded in 1830–40; retract ¹ + -or ²

Example Sentences

"Staff involved have no explanation for how the retractor ended up in the abdominal cavity, or why it was not identified prior to closure," she said.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2023

They scrape off letters and use temporary paper tags and even retractor mechanisms.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 18, 2022

It was the juxtaposition between my previous rotation, which was vascular surgery, where you’re standing for like six-hour cases, holding the retractor and you have really sick patients.

From Washington Post • Jul. 11, 2022

The proboscis may be extended or retracted by the retractor muscle attached to the wall of the rhynchocoel.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Once it reached the port's retractor mechanism, the automated system clamped on to the boom and pulled it in, aligning and orienting the probe automatically.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir