Catheter
A thin, flexible tube inserted into the body to drain or deliver fluids, administer treatment, or access an internal organ or vessel.
Urinary catheter: A tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine or monitor urinary output. Urinary catheters are widely used when normal bladder emptying is difficult or must be measured.
Seldinger technique: A method of placing a tube by passing it over a guidewire inserted through a needle. Many vascular catheters are advanced over a guidewire using this method.
Indwelling catheter: A catheter left inside the body for an extended period rather than removed after use. Some catheters remain in place to provide ongoing drainage or access.
Peripheral intravenous cannula: A short tube placed in a peripheral vein to provide temporary intravenous access. Unlike many catheters, it is a short peripheral device intended for access near the insertion site.
Central venous catheter: A catheter whose tip lies in a large central vein, used for prolonged access to the bloodstream. It delivers medications, fluids, or nutrition directly into central circulation.
Guidewire: A slender wire used to guide instruments or catheters through a body passage or vessel. It establishes a path that helps direct a catheter to its intended position.
Intermittent catheterization: Periodic insertion of a catheter to drain the bladder, followed by its removal. It offers urinary drainage without leaving a tube in place continuously.
Nasogastric tube: A tube passed through the nose into the stomach for feeding, medication delivery, or drainage. It is a tube used for similar fluid access but follows a distinct route and serves gastrointestinal purposes.
Cardiac catheterization: A procedure that guides thin tubes through blood vessels to examine or treat the heart. It uses vascular catheters to reach heart chambers and coronary arteries.
Catheter tip: The terminal end of a catheter, designed to deliver, drain, measure, or sense within the body. Its location and design determine where fluid enters or leaves and what can be measured.