depressor (redirected from depressor muscles)

depressor /de·pres·sor/ (de-pres´er)

1. that which causes depression, as a muscle, agent, or instrument.

2. depressor nerve.

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de·pres·sor (d-prsr)

n.

1. Any of various muscles that act by drawing down a part of the body.

2. Something that depresses or retards functional activity.

3. An instrument used to push certain structures out of the way during an operation or examination.

4. An agent that lowers blood pressure. Also called hypotensor.

5. A nerve that when stimulated acts to lower arterial blood pressure.

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depressor

[dipres′ər]

Etymology: L, deprimere, to press down

any agent that reduces activity when applied to nerves and muscles. See also depressant.

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depressor

anything that depresses, as a muscle, agent or instrument, or an afferent nerve, whose stimulation causes a fall in blood pressure.

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tongue depressor

an instrument for pressing down the tongue, usually for purposes of visualizing the soft palate and posterior pharynx.