obturator

American  

[ahb-ter-ayt-er] / ˈɑb tərˌeɪt ər /

noun

plural

obturators

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

• transobturator adjective

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 anterior opening is the obturator foramen.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The lateral rotators of the femur at the hip are the piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, and quadratus femoris.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Deep to the gluteus maximus, the piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, and quadratus femoris laterally rotate the femur at the hip.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

But he could be bold when necessary; he was the first to reduce a case of obturator hernia by abdominal section, and one of the first to practise lumbar colostomy.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various