An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) through which irrigating fluid is discharged. A spray head (422) with spaced-apart shoulders (422) is moveably attached to the front of the discharge tube. When the spray head is in a first position, the shoulders do not interfere with the discharge of irrigation fluid. When the spray head is in a second position, the shoulders are in registration over the discharge openings; the discharged irrigation fluid is dispersed by the shoulders. A spray shield (181) is disposed over the discharge tube. The irrigation fluid defused by the spray head shoulders strikes the spray shield which further diffuses this discharge.