• Sphincter

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ˈsfɪŋktÉ™/

    Origin

    From Late Latin sphincter, from Ancient Greek σφιγκτήρ (sphinktēr, "band, contractile muscle"), from σφίγγω (sphingō, "I bind tight"). Compare sphinx, "the strangler".

    Full definition of sphincter

    Noun

    sphincter

    (plural sphincters)
    1. (anatomy) A ringlike band of muscle that surrounds a bodily opening, constricting and relaxing as required for normal physiological functioning.the sphincter of the bladder
      • 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance (Faber & Faber, 2004: Avignon Quintet), page 836:She decided that she would force him to climax first by the sheer strength of her young animal control, the strength of her sphincters ...
      1. (in particular) The internal or external anal sphincter, to the extent these are distinguished as two separate entities.

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