Definition
A tube that lives inside your body (usually in your bladder) to drain fluids when normal bodily functions have gone on strike. The medical device that makes patients immediately reconsider all their life choices that led to this moment.
Example Usage
The patient has an indwelling catheter because monitoring output is easier than cleaning up after incontinence, though neither option is glamorous.
Origin
Medical device terminology combining 'indwelling' (residing within) with 'catheter' (from Greek 'kathienai' meaning 'to send down')
Fun Fact
Indwelling catheters are a leading cause of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections, which is why hospitals are constantly trying to remove them ASAP.
Source: Nursing and urology terminology
Related Terms
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