suction

views updated Jun 11 2018

suc·tion / ˈsəkshən/ • n. the production of a partial vacuum by the removal of air in order to force fluid into a vacant space or procure adhesion.• v. [tr.] remove (something) using suction: physicians used a tube to suction out the gallstones.

suction

views updated May 17 2018

suction XVII. — late L. sūctiō, -ōn-, f. sūct-, pp. stem of sūgere SUCK; see -TION.

suction

views updated May 21 2018

suction (suk-shŏn) n. the use of reduced pressure to remove unwanted fluids or other material through a tube for disposal. During surgery, suction tubes are used to remove blood from the area of operation and to decompress the stomach (nasogastric s.) and the pleural space of air and blood (chest s.).