Stent: Definition, Uses, and Types - A Comprehensive Guide

The medical term for a slender thread rod or catheter lying within the lumen of tubular structures used to provide support is a stent. Stents are used in a variety of medical procedures to keep blood vessels, bile ducts, and other tubular structures open. They are typically made of metal or plastic and are inserted through a small incision. Stents can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

* Coronary artery disease

* Peripheral artery disease

* Carotid artery disease

* Kidney artery disease

* Biliary tract disease

* Ureteral obstruction

Stents are typically used as a temporary measure to keep a tubular structure open while it heals. However, some stents are designed to be permanent.