The insertion of a catheter (thin, flexible tube) into a body cavity, duct, or vessel for medical purposes such as draining fluids, delivering medications, or performing diagnostic procedures. Common types include urinary and cardiac catheterization.
From Greek 'katheter' meaning 'something sent down,' derived from 'kata' (down) and 'hienai' (to send). The term originally described instruments used to drain the bladder, dating back to ancient Egyptian and Greek medicine.
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