CATHETER Meaning and
Definition
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A catheter is a medical device specifically designed to be inserted into the body to facilitate the drainage, administration, or monitoring of bodily fluids and substances. Usually made of flexible materials such as rubber or silicone, catheters are hollow tubes with one or more lumens running through their length.
Catheters are commonly used in various medical procedures and treatments as they provide a pathway between a body cavity or organ and an external drainage or administration system. They can be placed in diverse body regions depending on the specific need, including the bladder, blood vessels, urethra, heart, or gastrointestinal tract.
The application of catheters can be therapeutic, diagnostic, or supportive. Therapeutically, catheters are used to drain urine from the bladder when a patient is unable to do so naturally, or to deliver medications or substances directly into the bloodstream. Diagnostically, catheters can be introduced into specific locations to obtain samples or perform imaging tests. Supportively, catheters can assist with monitoring bodily functions consistently and continuously, such as monitoring blood pressure or heart activity.
Catheters may differ in size, shape, and functionality depending on the intended use. They are typically sterile to prevent infections and come in a variety of designs to cater to different patient requirements. Professional training and expertise are necessary for the proper insertion, manipulation, and removal of catheters to ensure patient safety and minimize risks.
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1. A hollow cylinder of silver, India rubber, or other material, designed to be passed through the urethra into the bladder to drain this viscus of urine in case of retention from any cause. 2. A similar instrument used for passage through other canals.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In surg., a small tube introduced into the bladder to draw off the water.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of CATHETER
The word "catheter" is derived from the Latin word "catheter" and the Greek word "kathetēr", both of which mean "to send down" or "to let down". The Latin and Greek words were originally used to describe a surgical instrument used for inserting medical tubes or pipes through narrow passages in the body, such as blood vessels or hollow organs. Over time, the term "catheter" became specifically associated with the medical device used to assist in draining fluids or injecting substances into the body.
Similar spelling words for CATHETER
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