Aspiration

: Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle. Aspiration also refers to the accidental sucking in of food particles or fluids into the lungs.

* * *

1. Removal, by suction, of a gas, fluid, or tissue from a body cavity or organ from unusual accumulations, or from a container. 2. The inspiratory sucking into the airways of fluid or any foreign material, especially gastric contents or food. 3. A surgical technique for cataract, requiring a small corneal incision, severance of the lens capsule, fragmentation of the lens material, and removal with a needle. [L. aspiratio, fr. aspiro, to breathe on]

- meconium a. intrauterine a. by the fetus of amniotic fluid contaminated by meconium resulting from fetal hypoxic distress.

* * *

as·pi·ra·tion .as-pə-'rā-shən n a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: as

a) the act of breathing and esp. of breathing in

b) the withdrawal of fluid or friable tissue from the body

c) the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current

as·pi·ra·tion·al -shnəl, -shən-əl adj

* * *

n.

the withdrawal of fluid from the body by means of suction using an instrument called an aspirator. There are various types of aspirator: some employ hollow needles for removing fluid from cysts, inflamed joint cavities, etc.; another kind is used to suck debris and water from the patient's mouth during dental treatment.

* * *

as·pi·ra·tion (as″pĭ-raґshən) [L. ad- to + spirare to breathe] 1. the drawing of a foreign substance, such as the gastric contents, into the respiratory tract during inhalation. 2. removal by suction, using an aspirator, as of excess fluid or gas from a body cavity or of a specimen for biopsy.