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erector

erector

7.7
A muscle that straightens the spine and helps keep the back upright
  • noun
  • /ɪˈrɛktər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : erector
  • Will he be as patient as we used to be with erector sets, all those different-sized girders to classify and arrange?
  • erector spinae
  • erector spinae muscles
  • fatigability of the erector

Examples

  • These are the muscles, the erectors that hold you up stability, your core.

  • Supporting the results of many other studies in the literature (1-9), our retrospective study suggests that the erector spinae muscles of individuals with LBP are more fatigable than those of healthy controls.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Greater erector spinae muscle fatigability was associated with both the existence of and the risk of developing serious low back pain.

    Academic text (1997)
  • When you're cold, tiny muscles called erector Pillai cause hair to stand upright across the body.

  • By 1920, Alfred Carlton Gilbert, the inventor who struck big with the Erector,

    Blog text (14)
  • No significant difference existed between mean MFgrad values recorded from the right and left erector spinae muscles at either thoracic or lumbar levels.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Figure 3. Typical changes in MF with time at left lumbar (top) and right lumbar (bottom) regions of the erector spine during the maintenance of 60% MVC to fatigue.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Typical changes in MF with time at the left thoracic (top) and right thoracic (bottom) regions of the erector spinae during the maintenance of 60% MVC to fatigue.

    Academic text (1997)
  • GRAPHS: Figure 2. Typical changes in MF with time at left thoracic (top) and right thoracic (bottom) regions of the erector spinae during the maintenance of 60% MVC to fatigue.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The erector spinae muscles help maintain an upright posture while sitting or standing.

Synonyms

extensor
vserector
  • Specialized
3 7.2

A muscle that straightens a limb like an arm or leg when it tightens

applies especially to muscles that straighten parts along the spine rather than limbs
extensor muscle
vserector
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A muscle that straightens a part of the body when it pulls

applies especially to muscles that straighten parts along the spine rather than limbs
erector spinae
vserector
  • Specialized
4.6

A group of muscles along the spine that keep the back straight and help you stand

refers to one muscle that straightens parts rather than an entire muscle group
spinalis
vserector
  • Specialized
9.1

A muscle near the spine that helps keep the back straight

is a more general term for muscles that straighten parts along the spine
iliocostalis
vserector
  • Specialized
9.9

A muscle at the side of the spine that helps straighten and bend it

refers to muscles generally rather than a specific outer one

Compounds

erector spinae
  • Specialized
4.6

A group of muscles along the spine that keep the back straight and help you stand

Surface Forms

erector singular
erectors plural

Morphology

erector = erect (semi-transparent) = erect + or

Formally built from 'erect' + agentive suffix '-or', but the anatomical sense (a muscle) is a specialized technical usage that a general learner may not predict.

Etymology

Erector comes from the Latin verb erigere, which means 'to raise up' and is the same root as the English word erect. So an erector muscle is one that 'raises' or straightens a part of the body, especially along the spine, helping you stand upright.