catheter

IPA/ˈkæθətə(r)/
KK[kˈæθətɚ]IPA/ˈkæθətər/

catheter — noun

  • cathetersingular
  • cathetersplural

1. a slender, hollow medical tube that a doctor or nurse places inside the body to

1.名詞B2
釋義

a slender, hollow medical tube that a doctor or nurse places inside the body to move fluids in or out — for example, to drain urine from the bladder when a person cannot urinate on their own, or to deliver medication directly into a blood vessel.

例句

Adina gently inserted a catheter into the patient's bladder to drain urine.

collocation: insert a catheter

Beatrix needed a catheter for two days after her hip surgery.

同義詞
  • tube

    a much broader, everyday word for any hollow cylinder; not specific to medical use

  • drain

    can refer to a tube that removes fluid from a wound after surgery, but 'drain' is less precise and not interchangeable with 'catheter' in most contexts

  • cannula

    a short, rigid tube placed in a vein for delivering fluids or medicine; differs from a catheter, which is typically longer and more flexible

文法句型

a + catheter

[possessive] + catheter

用法筆記

Frequently used in hospital settings. The verb form 'to catheterize' refers to the act of inserting a catheter. When discussing removal, common phrases are 'the catheter came out' or 'the doctor removed the catheter.' Never force or pull a catheter — this can cause injury.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor put a catheter in the patient's heart.
✅The doctor placed a catheter in the patient's bladder to drain urine.
💡A urinary catheter goes into the bladder, not the heart. Cardiac catheters exist but are much less common and go into blood vessels near the heart.
❌He catheter fell out.
✅His catheter came out.
💡'Catheter' is a countable noun; use the correct possessive or article.
❌I need to change my catheter every hour.
✅A urinary catheter is usually changed every few weeks by a healthcare professional.
💡Catheters are not changed hourly; the drainage bag may be emptied more often.