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A urinary catheter is a small, flexible tube that can be inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. It allows urine to drain. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body through the penis.
An indwelling urinary catheter remains in place all the time until it's taken out. To keep the catheter from slipping out, there is a balloon on one end that is inflated with sterile water after that end is inside the bladder.
Current as of: November 15, 2023
Author: Healthwise StaffClinical Review BoardAll Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review BoardAll Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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