sphincter

Meaning

A ringlike band of muscle that surrounds a bodily opening (such as the anus or the openings of the stomach), constricting and relaxing as required for normal physiological functioning.

Synonyms

sphincter muscle

constrictor

anatomical sphincter

closer

fastener

bottom

vice

vise

lower bowel

rectum

chuck

clamp

🗜️

Translations

sphincter

sfintere

Sphinkter

esfínter

Schließmuskel

esfínter

esfíncter

sluitspier

sfincter

σφιγκτήρας

büzgen kas

esfinter

muscle orbiculaire

muscle sphincter

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsfɪŋk.tɚ/

Etymology

Etymology tree
Late Latin sphinctērlbor.
English sphincter
Learned borrowing from Late Latin sphinctēr (“the muscle of the anus”), from Ancient Greek σφῐγκτήρ (sphĭnktḗr, “lace, band; contractile muscle”), ultimately of Pre-Greek origin. Possibly related to sphinx (“the strangler”).