catheter

cath·e·ter  (kth-tr)

n.

A hollow flexible tube for insertion into a body cavity, duct, or vessel to allow the passage of fluids or distend a passageway. Its uses include the drainage of urine from the bladder through the urethra or insertion through a blood vessel into the heart for diagnostic purposes.

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[Late Latin, from Greek kathetr, from kathenai, kathe-, to send down : kat-, kata-, cata- + henai, to send; see y- in Indo-European roots.]

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catheter [kath-it-er]

Noun

a slender flexible tube inserted into a body cavity to drain fluid [Greek kathienai to insert]

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catheter  (kth-tr)

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

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

catheter - a thin flexible tube inserted into the body to permit introduction or withdrawal of fluids or to keep the passageway open 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 tube, tubing - conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases