obturator

noun

ob·​tu·​ra·​tor ˈäb-tyə-ˌrā-tər 

-tə-

: something (such as a prosthetic device) that closes or blocks up an opening (such as a fissure in the palate)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin obturare

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

obturator

noun

ob·​tu·​ra·​tor ˈäb-t(y)ə-ˌrāt-ər 

1

a

: either of two muscles arising from the obturator membrane and adjacent bony surfaces:

(1)

: obturator externus

(2)

: obturator internus

b

: obturator nerve

2

a

: a prosthetic device that closes or blocks up an opening (as a fissure in the palate)

b

: a device that blocks the opening of an instrument (as a sigmoidoscope) that is being introduced into the body