Foley catheter

noun

Fo·​ley catheter ˈfō-lē- 

variants or less commonly Foley

ˈfō-lē 

plural Foley catheters also Foleys

medical

: a thin, flexible catheter used especially to drain urine from the bladder by way of the urethra

Note: The Foley catheter is often referred to as an indwelling catheter because it can be left in place for extended periods of time.

Use of a Foley catheter is strongly recommended to monitor urine output …

—Andres M. Salazar

If medications prove ineffective for BPH in a man who is unable to withstand the rigors of surgery, urethral obstruction and incontinence may be managed by intermittent catheterization or an in-dwelling Foley catheter.

—Simeon Margolis

Word History

Etymology

after Frederic E. B. Foley †1966 American urologist, who designed it

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Foley catheter

noun

Fo·​ley catheter ˈfō-lē- 

variants also Foley

ˈfō-lē 

plural Foley catheters also Foleys

: a thin, flexible catheter used especially to drain urine from the bladder by way of the urethra

Note: The Foley catheter is often referred to as an indwelling catheter because it can be left in place for extended periods of time.

Use of a Foley catheter is strongly recommended to monitor urine output and help maintain euvolemia through adequate fluid replacement.

—Andres M. Salazar

If medications prove ineffective for BPH in a man who is unable to withstand the rigors of surgery, urethral obstruction and incontinence may be managed by intermittent catheterization or an in-dwelling Foley catheter.

—Simeon Margolis