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