catheter

/ˈkæθədər/

/ˈkæθɪtə/

Other forms: catheters

A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that's inserted into the body to draw liquids out or keep a pathway open. It’s the kind of thing you’d get in the hospital.

The word catheter is from the Greek kathienai which means, "thrust in or let down." That’s what happens when that small tube goes into your body and lets fluid out. If you have surgery in the belly area, you’ll probably need a catheter to drain the urine until you can go to the bathroom by yourself again. A catheter can also be inserted into other organs, like through a blood vessel and into the heart, to see what's going on.

Definitions of catheter

1. noun

   a thin flexible tube inserted into the body to permit introduction or withdrawal of fluids or to keep the passageway open
   types:

   endotracheal tube

   a catheter that is inserted into the trachea through the mouth or nose in order to maintain an open air passage or to deliver oxygen or to permit the suctioning of mucus or to prevent aspiration of the stomach contents

   nasotracheal tube

   a tube inserted into the trachea through the nose and pharynx; used to deliver oxygen

   type of:

   tube, tubing

   conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases