stent

noun

ˈstent 

: a short narrow metal or plastic tube often in the form of a mesh that is inserted into the lumen of an anatomical vessel (such as an artery or a bile duct) especially to keep a previously blocked passageway open

Examples of stent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider biomedical researchers who, inspired by the Japanese art of origami, developed foldable medical devices like heart stents that can expand once inserted, enabling less invasive surgery. —Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024

Instead, Synchron deploys a self-expanding stent with electrodes embedded in it to the brain's surface via the jugular vein. —New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2024

Sometimes, the surgeon may insert a stent from the gallbladder to the first part of the intestine (duodenum). —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2024

Urethral stents are tiny plastic tubes inserted during cystoscopy, which improve urine flow by keeping the urethra open. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Charles Thomas Stent †1885 English dentist

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

stent

noun

ˈstent 

variants also stint

ˈstint 

1

: a mold formed from a resinous compound and used for holding a surgical graft in place

also : something (as a pad of gauze immobilized by sutures) used like a stent

2

: a short narrow metal or plastic tube often in the form of a mesh that is inserted into the lumen of an anatomical vessel (as an artery or bile duct) especially to keep a previously blocked passageway open