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

/ 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.

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

Patients in health care settings have the highest risk for infection, especially those who are on ventilators, have devices such as catheters, are in intensive care units, or have prolonged hospital stays.

From Science Daily

He had to get a permanent catheter, developed a seizure disorder and began using a wheelchair.

From Los Angeles Times

A half-hour later, as nurses placed a catheter, Fails noticed her daughter’s thighs were covered in blood.

From Salon

He added that he had "grabbed hold of her hands" as she was trying to pull at a catheter in a large vein.

From BBC

Three displaced tenants who needed specific medical care — for example, routine catheter cleaning — were temporarily placed in a rehabilitation center where they could receive 24-hour medical attention.

From Los Angeles Times