A catheter is a flexible medical tube used to drain fluids from or deliver fluids to the body. Most commonly, urinary catheters are used to empty the bladder in patients who are unable to do so naturally due to medical conditions, surgeries, or incontinence. Catheters can be inserted through the urethra (urethral catheter) or through a small opening in the abdomen into the bladder (suprapubic catheter). Other types of catheters, such as intravenous (IV) catheters, are used to administer medications, fluids, or nutrients directly into the bloodstream. Catheters are typically made of materials like silicone or latex and are designed for short-term or long-term use depending on the patient’s needs.