sphincter muscle

/ˌsfɪŋktər ˌmʌsəl/

Other forms: sphincter muscles

Definitions of sphincter muscle

1. noun

   a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
   synonyms: anatomical sphincter, sphincter

   types:

   physiological sphincter

   a sphincter that is not recognizable at autopsy because its resting arrangement cannot be distinguished from adjacent tissue

   anal sphincter, musculus sphincter ani, sphincter ani

   the sphincter muscle of the anus

   musculus sphincter urethrae, urethral sphincter

   a striated sphincter muscle that constricts the urethra

   bladder sphincter, musculus sphincter vesicae

   the sphincter muscle of the urinary bladder; made up of a thickened muscular layer of bladder around the urethral opening

   musculus sphincter ductus choledochi

   the smooth muscle sphincter of the common bile duct

   musculus sphincter ductus pancreatici

   the smooth muscle sphincter of the main pancreatic duct

   musculus sphincter pupillae, pupillary sphincter

   a ring of smooth muscle surrounding the iris

   musculus sphincter pylori, pyloric sphincter, pyloric valve

   the sphincter muscle of the pylorus that separates the stomach from the duodenum

   cardiac sphincter

   the valve between the distal end of the esophagus and the stomach; the physiological sphincter at the esophagogastric junction

   type of:

   muscle, musculus

   one of the contractile organs of the body