catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈka-thə-tər 

ˈkath-tər

: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open compare balloon catheter

Examples of catheter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Due to this risk, before your Botox procedure for bladder incontinence, your healthcare provider will talk with you about the possibility of temporarily using a urinary catheter if needed. —Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 27 Nov. 2024

Cupp’s doctor put him on medications to reduce swelling and high blood pressure and tried a second time to win approval for a left heart catheter examination. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024

The fibers were bundled up into a 2.5-millimeter-thick (0.1-inch) catheter, which was initially inserted into animal brain models of TBI. —New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024

Get IVs and tubes or catheters out as soon as possible. 6. —Judy Stone, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek kathetēr, from kathienai to send down, from kata- cata- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing catheter

• balloon catheter
• Foley catheter

Medical Definition

catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈkath-ət-ər, ˈkath-tər 

: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (as to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open)