sphincter

noun

sphinc·​ter ˈsfiŋ(k)-tər How to pronounce sphincter (audio)
: an annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening
sphincteric 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sphincter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sphincter was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near sphincter

Cite this Entry

“Sphincter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphincter. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

sphincter

noun
sphinc·​ter ˈsfiŋ(k)-tər How to pronounce sphincter (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce sphincter (audio)
: an annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening see anal sphincter, cardiac sphincter, precapillary sphincter, pyloric sphincter
sphincteral adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sphincter

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