A catheter is a thin, flexible tube used in medicine to help with various health issues. It can be inserted into the body to drain fluids, deliver medications, or perform diagnostic tests. For example, a urinary catheter helps people who have difficulty urinating by allowing urine to flow from the bladder into a bag outside the body.
There are different types of catheters, such as those used for the heart, known as cardiac catheters, which help doctors examine blood vessels. Catheters are essential tools in hospitals and clinics, making procedures safer and more effective for patients needing care.