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

These robots could stay in place and release medication over time, which would be much safer than leaving a catheter or stent inside the body for a long time. —New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024

Hybrid surgical/catheter: This procedure combines catheterization with thoracoscopic surgery that involves a few small incisions in the abdomen. —Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Although there are alternative methods of diagnosing heart disease such as angiography which involves placing a catheter into blood vessels to quantify how narrow the heart vessels are, nuclear imaging offers a non-invasive alternative that is well tolerated by most patients. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The doctor decided to give up on getting an approval for the catheter exam. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 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)