1. Anything that binds or squeezes a part. SEE ALSO: inferior c. (muscle) of pharynx, middle c. (muscle) of pharynx, superior pharyngeal c. (muscle). 2. A muscle, the action of which is to narrow a canal; a sphincter. [L. fr. constringo, to draw together]
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con·stric·tor -'strik-tər n a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ see INFERIOR CONSTRICTOR, MIDDLE CONSTRICTOR, SUPERIOR CONSTRICTOR
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n.
any muscle that compresses an organ or causes a hollow organ or part to contract.
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con·stric·tor (kən-strikґtər) 1. an instrument that constricts a part or vessel. 2. a muscle that constricts a part; see terms beginning musculus constrictor. See also compressor.Medical dictionary. 2011.