cannula

Everyday

1. (medicine) A thin tube put into a vein or into the body by a doctor or nurse, so that medicine or fluid can go in, or fluid can come out. tree →
2. A small tube under the nose that gives oxygen (a nasal cannula). tree →

In the lessons

In hospital, a patient may have a cannula in the back of the hand for a drip. It is put in with a needle, but the needle comes out and a soft plastic tube stays. In stories about hospital it helps children understand what they see.

Examples

• The nurse put a cannula in my hand for the drip. tree →
• It stung a bit, but then the cannula didn't hurt. tree →
• Grandpa had a nasal cannula for oxygen. tree →
• The cannula was taped down so it wouldn't move. tree →
• Doctors use a cannula to give medicine straight into a vein. tree →
• The nurse took the cannula out before I went home. tree →

Note

Say «KAN-yoo-luh». Plural: cannulas (everyday) or cannulae. Verb: cannulate (medical). Not the same as a «canal» or «cannon».