catheter

[kath-i-ter]

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.

catheter

/ 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

catheter

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

catheter

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of catheter¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of catheter¹

C17: from Late Latin, from Greek kathetēr, from kathienai to send down, insert

Example Sentences

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

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It will compare the use of stents - surgical tubes used to open up the body's passageways - with a new technique of using a small catheter to insert a green dye.

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The catheter guides the new valve to the heart and replaces the damaged one.

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Now, the procedure should solve the issue, ensure the catheter is removed and give him "a good quality of life in relation to what I've had previously".

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She added: "I had one person taking my clothes off, another inserting a catheter. I was naked and uncovered. My catheter was left in for 26 hours. I had a horrific experience and just left."

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