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

But many more clinicians are opting for minimally invasive surgeries through catheters. —Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024

An epidural is a small catheter that injects a pain-relieving medication — either an anesthetic or steroid — into the space around your spinal nerves, known as the epidural space. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024

Near my armpit, sticking out under the skin, was what looked like a beer-bottle cap, a catheter implanted there at the start of treatment. —Annie Ernaux, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024

There is another theory that just placement of the catheter into the cervical os boosts pregnancy rates in some cases. —Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 30 July 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)