GC: n
S: http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Catheter.aspx (last access: 21 September 2015); NIH – https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003981.htm (last access: 21 September 2015).
N: 1. c.1600, from French cathéter, from Late Latin catheter “a catheter,” from Greek katheter “surgical catheter,” literally “anything let down,” from stem of kathienai “to let down, thrust in,” from kata “down” (see cata-) + stem of hienai “to send” (see jet (v.)). Earlier was cathirum (early 15c.), directly from Medieval Latin. Related: Catheterization; catheterized; catheterizing.
2. Two meanings:
- a tubular, flexible, surgical instrument that is inserted into a cavity of the body to withdraw or introduce fluid.
- urethral catheter.
3. cardiac catheter: a long, fine catheter especially designed for passage, usually through a peripheral blood vessel, into the chambers of the heart under radiologic control; used to obtain blood samples and intracardiac pressures, in diagnosing cardiac abnormalities, and in therapeutic intervention.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=catheter (last access: 21 September 2015). 2 & 3. DORLAND p. 306.
SYN:
S:
CR: biopsy, cardiac catheterization, catheterization, stent.
