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a flexible or rigid hollow tube employed to drain fluids from body cavities or to distend body passages, especially one for passing into the bladder through the urethra to draw off urine or into the heart through a leg vein or arm vein for diagnostic examination.
Historical Examples

The catheter is now gently withdrawn until the beak is felt to catch against the posterior edge of the vomer.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) Various

The catheter or tube is cut so that but nine inches remain for use.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol 2 (of 4) W. Grant Hague

A catheter was kept in the urethra for some days, and the opening eventually closed by granulation.
Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 George Henry Makins

If successful, a catheter must be secured in the bladder in the usual way.
A Manual of the Operations of Surgery Joseph Bell

To prevent any injury, the ligature should be brought away first, and then the catheter.
A System of Midwifery Edward Rigby

It consists of the curved part of a catheter, and it is 13 cm.
Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times John Stewart Milne

The catheter is then pushed directly upwards until its stem impinges against the soft palate.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) Various

A catheter of wide calibre is passed in the ordinary manner.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) Various

To the end of this tube a rubber rectal tube or catheter—1 cm.
Dietetics for Nurses Fairfax T. Proudfit

The end of the catheter is bent to suit the conditions met with.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) Various

noun
(med) a long slender flexible tube for inserting into a natural bodily cavity or passage for introducing or withdrawing fluid, such as urine or blood
n.

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.

catheter cath·e·ter (kāth’ĭ-tər)
n.
A hollow, flexible tube inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel to allow the passage of fluids or distend a passageway; its many uses include the diagnosis of heart disorders when inserted through a blood vessel into the heart.
catheter
(kāth’ĭ-tər)
A hollow, flexible tube inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel to allow the passage of fluids or distend a passageway.
catheter [(kath-uh-tuhr)]

A thin tube inserted into one of the channels or blood vessels in the body to remove fluids, create an opening into an internal cavity, or administer injections.