noun
abductor
A muscle that moves a body part away from the body's midline.
The therapist pointed out the hip abductor on the model.
Etymology
Latin ab- and ducere express leading away, while the ending names the agent. Applied to a muscle, the word identifies what draws a body part away from the body’s midline.
More examples
- An abductor moves a limb away from the body’s midline.
- The exercise engaged the shoulder abductors.
- The anatomy chart contrasted an abductor with an adductor.
Forms
abductor · abductors
Similar words
- adductor
- An adductor draws a part toward the midline; an abductor draws it away.
- flexor
- A flexor bends a joint; an abductor moves a part away from the midline.