Noun: dilator di'ley-tu(r) or 'dI,ley-tu(r)
- A surgical instrument that is used to dilate or distend an opening or an organ
"The ophthalmologist used a dilator to widen the patient's pupils for examination";
- dilater
- A drug that causes dilation
"The doctor prescribed a dilator to help with her breathing difficulties"
- A muscle or nerve that dilates or widens a body part
"The pupillary dilator muscle controls the size of the eye's pupil"
Derived forms: dilators
Type of: body part, drug, surgical instrument
Encyclopedia: Dilator