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Medicine vocabulary · Treatments and Procedures

Catheter

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈkæθɪtər/nounCommon term

In medicine, catheter means: A thin, flexible tube put into the body to drain fluid or give treatment, most often one passed into the bladder to drain urine.

In Turkish: kateter, sonda, idrar sondası

How it is used

On the ward 'catheter' alone usually means a urinary catheter, often a Foley catheter; staff insert, remove and flush it. Other types include central venous and cardiac catheters. Every catheter carries a risk of infection.

Example sentences

  1. He's in urinary retention, so we'll insert a catheter.

  2. Can we take her catheter out today? She's mobilising well.

Common collocations

  • urinary catheter
  • insert a catheter
  • remove a catheter
  • central venous catheter
  • catheter-related infection
  • cannulaA thin plastic tube placed into a vein, usually in the hand or arm, so that fluids and drugs can be given directly into the blood.
  • urinary tract infectionAn infection anywhere in the system that makes and carries urine, most often the bladder; it usually causes burning and frequent urination.
  • intravenousGiven directly into a vein, usually through a thin plastic tube called a cannula, as with fluids, antibiotics or pain relief.
  • wardA part of a hospital with beds where patients stay overnight or longer, usually for one specialty, such as a surgical or children's ward.

More terms: Treatments and Procedures

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.