ANAL SPHINCTER

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

The sphincter muscle of the anus

Synonyms:

anal sphincter; musculus sphincter ani; sphincter ani

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("anal sphincter" is a kind of...):

anatomical sphincter; sphincter; sphincter muscle (a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening)

Meronyms (parts of "anal sphincter"):

musculus sphincter ani externus (an external ring of striated muscle surrounding the anus)

musculus sphincter ani internus (an internal ring of smooth muscle formed by circular fibers of the rectum)

Holonyms ("anal sphincter" is a part of...):

anus (the excretory opening at the end of the alimentary canal)