sphincter

noun

sphinc·​ter ˈsfiŋ(k)-tər 

: an annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening

sphincteric

sfiŋ(k)-ˈter-ik 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, a few studies have shown that coffee can relax and open the sphincter that connects the esophagus to the stomach, which hypothetically could allow acid from the stomach to more easily splash upward into the esophagus and cause unpleasant heartburn symptoms. —Trisha Pasricha, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2023

Gas, liquids and solids bump against the esophageal sphincter, the ring of muscular tissue that separates the esophagus from the stomach. —Christian Millman, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2015

Least Invasive: Stretta A device resembling a small fishing pole is inserted down your throat to send radio-frequency pulses to the esophageal sphincter. —Sean O'neal, Men's Health, 27 Feb. 2023

Others have found that physical tricks like holding one’s breath are effective, which increases the carbon dioxide in the blood and relaxes the sphincter. —Dario Sabaghi, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2020

Devgan et al have shown that one swallower was able to reduce voluntarily the resting pressure of this sphincter by 10-20 mm Hg. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2014

In humans, the upper esophageal sphincter is a high-pressure zone situated between the pharynx and the cervical esophagus. —Elsbeth Sites, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2015

But his insistence on maximum discomfort comedy in nearly every scene seems like a test of how much your sphincter can contract in secondhand embarrassment (my kingdom for no more fun facts about Xzibit from David Duchovny). —Leah Greenblatt, Joshua Rothkopf, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2023

But people with paruresis report a locking-up or freezing sensation of their bladder, potentially associated with tightening of the urinary sphincter. —Dario Sabaghi, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2020

See More

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek sphinktēr, literally, band, from sphingein to bind tight

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sphincter

noun

sphinc·​ter ˈsfiŋ(k)-tər 

: a ringlike muscle surrounding a body opening that is able to make the opening smaller or close it

Medical Definition

sphincter

noun

sphinc·​ter ˈsfiŋ(k)-tər 

: an annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening see anal sphincter, cardiac sphincter, precapillary sphincter, pyloric sphincter

sphincteral

-t(ə-)rəl 

adjective