obturator

American  

[ahb-ter-ayt-er] / ˈɑb tərˌeɪt ər /

noun

obturators plural

1. Anatomy. either of the muscles, external and internal, covering the opening (obturator foramen) in the pelvis, formed by the pubis and ischium.

2. any of various devices used in surgery and dentistry to close or fill openings in the body, especially a prosthetic device used to close a gap in the palate.

3. Ordnance. a device, such as a cap or pad, to seal the breech of a gun during firing so as to prevent gas from escaping.

4. Botany. a tissue growth that closes an opening, such as one found in the ovary of some plants near the micropyle of an ovule.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• transobturator
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• obturators
  plural

Example Sentences

The Lumbar plexus includes four nerves located in the upper and mid leg: The obturator, the femoral, muscular branches of the femoral, and the saphenous.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The large opening in the anteroinferior hip bone between the ischium and pubis is the obturator foramen.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

When paralysis of the obturator nerve occurs as a post-partum complication, and other conditions are favorable, the subject should be raised to its feet without unnecessary delay.

From Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 by Lacroix, John Victor

The fibers of the ventral part pass parallel with the tendon of the m. obturator internus and insert on the trochanter immediately distal and posterior to the tendon of the latter muscle.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

Pistons of aluminium alloy, with three cast-iron rings, are fitted, the top ring being of the obturator type.

From A History of Aeronautics by Vivian, Evelyn Charles