1. A muscle, contraction of which causes compression of any structure. 2. An instrument for making pressure on a part, especially on an artery to prevent loss of blood. SYN: compressorium.
- c. urethrae [TA] part of female external urethral sphincter arising from the ischiopubic rami, posterior to the plane of the urethra, passing anteriorly and medially to fuse with the contralateral muscle anterior to the urethra and blending with the other parts of the external urethral sphincter (sphincter urethrovaginalis inferiorly and sphincter urethrae superiorly). SEE ALSO: external urethral sphincter.
- c. venae dorsalis penis a variation of the bulbospongiosus muscle in which some fibers pass dorsal to the dorsal vein of the penis; thought at one time to be an important component in the mechanism of erection. SYN: Houston muscle.
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a) a muscle that compresses a part
b) a machine that compresses gases
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com·pres·sor (kəm-presґər) [L.] 1. an instrument that compresses a vessel. 2. a muscle that compresses or presses down on a part; see also constrictor.Medical dictionary. 2011.