Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

cataract surgery
Removal of the clouded
(cataractous) lens in its entirety via surgery and
replacement of the lens with an intraocular lens
(IOL) made of plastic. A typical cataract operation
takes about an hour, requires local anesthesia only,
and usually does not require hospitalization.
catatonic
In a state of catalepsy. See 
catalepsy.
cath
Medical shorthand for catheter or a proce-
dure using a catheter.
cathartic
A laxative.
catheter
A thin, flexible tube.
catheter, bladder
A flexible plastic tube inserted
into the bladder. See also 
catheter, Foley; catheter,
indwelling bladder.
catheter, Foley
A flexible plastic tube inserted
into the bladder to provide continuous urinary
drainage. After the catheter is inserted in the blad-
der, a balloon on the bladder end is inflated with air
or fluid so that the catheter cannot be removed.
Removal is accomplished by deflating the balloon
and slipping the catheter out. See also 
catheter,
indwelling bladder.
catheter, indwelling bladder
A catheter
inserted into the bladder that remains there to pro-
vide continuous urinary drainage. The principal
type is the Foley catheter. See also 
catheter, Foley.
catheter, IV
A catheter placed in a vein to pro-
vide a pathway for drugs, nutrients, fluids, or blood
products. Blood samples can also be withdrawn
through an IV catheter.
catheter, oximetry
A catheter used with moni-
toring equipment that can measure the amount of
oxygenated hemoglobin in the bloodstream. See
also 
catheter, Swan-Ganz.
catheter, PA
A catheter that is inserted into the
pulmonary artery.