retractor Definition
- 1a surgical instrument used to hold open an incision or wound, allowing access to the area being operated on
- 2a device or mechanism used to pull something back or inwards
Using retractor: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "retractor" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The surgeon used a retractor to keep the incision open during the operation.
Example
The seatbelt retractor pulled the belt back into place after I released it.
Example
The camera's retractor mechanism kept the lens safe when not in use.
retractor Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with retractor
Example
The dentist used a jaw retractor to keep my mouth open while filling my cavity.
self-retractor
a type of retractor that can be positioned and held in place without assistance from another person
Example
The self-retractor made it easier for the surgeon to operate without needing an assistant to hold it in place.
a type of retractor used during childbirth to hold the umbilical cord out of the way
Example
The midwife used an umbilical cord retractor to keep the cord from getting tangled during the delivery.
Origins of retractor
from Latin 'retractus', meaning 'drawn back'
Summary: retractor in Brief
A 'retractor' [rɪˈtræktər] is a surgical instrument or device used to hold open an incision or wound, or to pull something back or inwards. Examples include a jaw retractor used in dental procedures, a self-retractor that can be positioned and held in place without assistance, and an umbilical cord retractor used during childbirth. The term comes from the Latin word 'retractus', meaning 'drawn back.'
