Noun: endotracheal tube
- A catheter that is inserted into the trachea through the mouth or nose in order to maintain an open air passage or to deliver oxygen or to permit the suctioning of mucus or to prevent aspiration of the stomach contents
"The anesthesiologist carefully inserted the endotracheal tube before surgery"
Derived forms: endotracheal tubes
Type of: catheter
Encyclopedia: Endotracheal tube