retractor
[ri-trak-ter]
- a person or thing that retracts.
- Anatomy. a muscle that retracts an organ or protruded part.
- Surgery. an instrument or appliance for drawing back an impeding part, as the edge of an incision.
- a mechanism, device, or the like that regulates retraction: to adjust the retractor on a seat belt.
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Origin of retractor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for retractor
Historical Examples
The back of the scoop was used as a retractor for delicate structures.
Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman TimesJohn Stewart Milne
These consist of four straight muscles, two oblique, and one retractor.
Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States Department of Agriculture
Scotty pulled the retractor of his rifle and a cartridge rammed into the firing chamber.
The Golden SkullJohn Blaine
Paresi took tweezers, a retractor, two scalpels and a hypodermic case out of the kit and laid them in a neat row on the bunk.
Breaking PointJames E. Gunn
There is, however, another muscle—the Retractor oculi—belonging to the same group which is innervated by the VIth nerve.
The Origin of VertebratesWalter Holbrook Gaskell
retractor
- anatomy any of various muscles that retract an organ or part
- surgery an instrument for holding back the edges of a surgical incision or organ or part
- a person or thing that retracts
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
retractor
(rĭ-trăk′tər)- A surgical instrument used to hold back organs or the edges of an incision.
- A muscle, such as a flexor, that retracts an organ or a part.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.