1. muscles that lower or depress a body part
Usage: anatomy
2. medical instruments used to press down or hold down body parts during examination
Usage: medical
3. substances or agents that reduce activity or function
Usage: medical; pharmacology

Examples

• The doctor used wooden tongue depressors to examine the patient’s throat.
• Facial depressors help control expressions by lowering parts of the face.
• The depressor anguli oris muscle pulls down the corners of the mouth.
• Medical students learn about various depressors used in physical examinations.
• Certain medications act as cardiac depressors, slowing heart rate.
• The nurse disposed of the used tongue depressors in the medical waste bin.