obturator

Plural: obturators

Noun

• a prosthesis used to close an opening (as to close an opening of the hard palate in cases of cleft palate)
• An object used to obstruct a hole, such as a fissure of the palate.
• The membrane vessels, etc. that close the obturator foramen, or thyroid foramen, a large opening or fenestra in the anterior part of the hip bone.
• A valve closure member (disk, gate, plug, etc.).
• Any device for preventing the escape of gas through the breech mechanism of a breech-loading gun; a gas check.
• A camera shutter.