Retractor

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Retractor \Re*tract"or\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]kt"[~e]r), n.
     One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically:
     (a) In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a
         cartridge shell from the barrel.
     (b) (Surg.) An instrument for holding apart the edges of a
         wound during amputation.


     (c) (Surg.) A bandage to protect the soft parts from injury
         by the saw during amputation.
     (d) (Anat. & Zool.) A muscle serving to draw in any organ or
         part. See Illust. under {Phylactolaemata}.
         [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  retractor
       n : surgical instrument that holds back the edges of a surgical
           incision