Dilator

Dilator
: A device used to stretch or enlarge an opening. Patients with scarring of the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach (esophagus) can require a dilator procedure in order to open the esophagus for adequate passage of food and fluids.
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1. An instrument designed for enlarging a hollow structure or opening. 2. A muscle that pulls open an orifice. 3. A substance that causes dilation or enlargement of an opening or the lumen of a hollow structure. SEE ALSO: bougie. SYN: dilatator.
- Chevalier-Jackson d. an esophageal d. that passes through a rigid endoscope.
- Hanks dilators uterine dilators of solid metal construction.
- Hegar dilators a series of cylindrical bougies of graduated sizes used to dilate the cervical canal.
- hydrostatic d. an instrument for dilating esophageal strictures; fluid pressure is delivered into a flexible area of the instrument placed in the stricture to establish a uniform dilating pressure.
- d. iridis SYN: d. pupillae muscle.
- Kollmann d. a metallic expandable instrument used to dilate urethral strictures.
- pneumatic d. any of a variety of catheters fitted with distal balloons that can be inflated to desired pressures for overcoming obstructions in hollow viscera; most often used to rupture the lower esophageal sphincter to treat achalasia.
- Pratt dilators cylindrical metal rods of graduated sizes used to dilate the cervical canal.
- d. of pupil SYN: d. pupillae muscle.
- Walther d. a gently curved instrument that tapers to an increased diameter, used to dilate the female urethra.

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di·la·tor (')dī-'lāt-ər, də- n one that dilates: as
a) an instrument for expanding a tube, duct, or cavity <a urethral \dilator> called also divulsor
b) a muscle that dilates a part
c) a drug (as a vasodilator) causing dilation

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n.
1. an instrument used to enlarge a body opening or cavity. For example, the male urethra may become narrowed by disease and it can sometimes be restored to its original size by inserting a dilator. Dilators (such as Hegar's dilator) are also used to enlarge the canal in the cervix of the uterus in the procedure of dilatation and curettage.
2. a drug, applied either locally or systemically, that causes expansion of a structure, such as the pupil of the eye or a blood vessel. See also vasodilator.
3. a muscle that, by its action, opens an aperture or orifice in the body.

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di·la·tor (di-laґtər) (diґla-tər) 1. an instrument used in enlarging a canal, orifice, tube, or vessel by stretching. 2. dilatator (def. 2).

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dilator — is a medical term with a number of uses, including: A surgical instrument or medical implement used to induce dilation, that is, to expand an opening or passage such as the cervix, urethra, esophagus, or vaginal introitus. A pharmacological… …   Wikipedia

  • Dilator — Di*lat or, n. [See {Dilate}.] 1. One who, or that which, widens or expands. [1913 Webster] 2. (Anat.) A muscle that dilates any part. [1913 Webster] 3. (Med.) An instrument for expanding a part; as, a urethral dilator. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dilator — [dī′lāt΄ər; dī lāt′ər, dəlāt′ər] n. a person or thing that dilates; specif., a) any muscle that dilates a part of the body b) a surgical instrument for dilating an opening, wound, etc …   English World dictionary

  • dilator — bron·cho·dilator; pu·pil·lo·dilator; vaso·dilator; dilator; …   English syllables

  • dilator — n. 1) an instrument used to enlarge a body opening or cavity. For example, the male urethra may become narrowed by disease and it can sometimes be restored to its original size by inserting a dilator. Dilators (such as Hegar s dilator) are also… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • dilator — noun 1》 (also dilator muscle) Anatomy a muscle whose contraction dilates an organ or aperture, such as the pupil of the eye. 2》 a surgical instrument for dilating a tube or cavity in the body. 3》 a vasodilatory drug …   English new terms dictionary

  • Dilator naris muscle — Muscles of the head, face, and neck. Latin pars alaris musculi nasalis Gray s …   Wikipedia

  • dilator naris muscle — dilator muscle of naris pars alaris musculi nasalis …   Medical dictionary

  • dilator muscle of pupil — dilator pupillae muscle musculus dilatator pupillae …   Medical dictionary

  • dilator muscle — ▪ anatomy       any of the muscles (muscle) that widen a body part. In humans, the dilator muscle of the iris contains fibres that extend radially through the iris of the eye (eye, human) and involuntarily contract as available light decreases,… …   Universalium

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