ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌrād.ə(r) noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin obturatus + -or
: one that closes or stops up an opening:
a. : either of two muscles arising from the obturator membrane and adjacent bony surfaces:
(1) or obturator ex·ter·nus -ekˈstərnəs : a muscle arising from the outer surface of the membrane and being inserted into the trochanteric fossa of the femur
(2) or obturator in·ter·nus -inˈtərnəs : a muscle arising from the inner surface of the membrane and being inserted into the greater trochanter of the femur
b. : a prosthetic device that usually has the form of a plate and is designed to bridge an unnatural opening (as a fissure of the palate)
c. : a device for preventing the escape of gas through the breech mechanism of a breech-loading gun
d. : a hooded swelling of the placenta that fits over the nucellus in some plants