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

See Examples For:

obturator obturators

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

This opening communicated with the nasal fossa by a fracture of the palatine and maxillary bones; the employment of an obturator was necessary.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

I also never saw a case of localised obturator paralysis.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by Makins, George Henry

Many curious forms of obturator or artificial palate are employed to remedy congenital defects.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

These bolts were driven outside, and obturators wadded with indiarubber corked up the hole that let them through.

From The Moon-Voyage by Verne, Jules