catheter

American  

[kath-i-ter] / ˈkæθ ɪ tər /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. a flexible or rigid hollow tube employed to drain fluids from body cavities or to distend body passages, especially one for passing into the bladder through the urethra to draw off urine or into the heart through a leg vein or arm vein for diagnostic examination.

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catheter British  

/ ˈkæθɪtə /

noun

1. med a long slender flexible tube for inserting into a natural bodily cavity or passage for introducing or withdrawing fluid, such as urine or blood

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catheter Scientific  

/ kăth′ĭ-tər /

1. A hollow, flexible tube inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel to allow the passage of fluids or distend a passageway.

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catheter Cultural  

1. A thin tube inserted into one of the channels or blood vessels in the body to remove fluids, create an opening into an internal cavity, or administer injections.

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Etymology

Origin of catheter

1595–1605; < Late Latin < Greek kathetḗr kind of tube, literally, something sent or let down, equivalent to kathe- (variant stem of kathiénai, equivalent to kat- cata- + hiénai to send, let go) + -tḗr agent suffix

Compare meaning

How does catheter compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cannula vs. catheter

Example Sentences

In earlier studies, scientists sometimes inserted catheters into veins in a patient's neck to collect blood as it left the brain.

From Science Daily

Oliver is used to hospitals, but is fretful, and wriggles as the research nurse slowly injects the treatment, about a cup full, into a catheter in his chest.

From BBC

Linda, the scientist of the bunch, discovered a veterinary catheter that would allow for more precise dropping.

From Los Angeles Times

Prof Grunwald said the experiment demonstrated a robot could be connected to the same catheters and wires a surgeon would normally use, and a medic who is with the patient could simply attach the wires.

From BBC

An epidural is an invasive procedure in which an anesthetic is delivered into the body via a catheter inserted into the lower back.

From The Wall Street Journal