Anatomy
sphincter
sphinc·ter [ sfingk-ter ]
Etymology:
Greek sphinkter = a band; from sphingein = to bind
Definitions related to sphincter:
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A circular band of muscle that functions to regulate the size of an orifice in the body.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A ring of muscle that surrounds an opening and can be contracted to close the opening. For example, the muscles found at the anus and the opening of the bladder are sphincters.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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A ring-shaped muscle that relaxes or tightens to open or close a passage or opening in the body. Examples are the anal sphincter (around the opening of the anus) and the pyloric sphincter (at the lower opening of the stomach).NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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