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

Some microbes could spread across medical catheters, implants, or hospital equipment through swashing.

From Science Daily

The experimental therapy is administered through a catheter inserted into tiny holes in the skull.

From MarketWatch

Nadia said her mother helped another elderly lady in her 80s in the A&E department to empty her catheter, get a drink and call her family.

From BBC

At one point, medical staff inserted a catheter over his objections, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her Hickman line, a catheter used to administer drugs, later became infected.

From BBC