A catheter is a thin tube made from medical grade materials that can be inserted into the body to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure. Catheters can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel, brain, skin or adipose tissue, and they serve a broad range of functions. They allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, access by surgical instruments, and perform a wide variety of other tasks depending on the type of catheter. There are different types of catheters available, including urinary catheters, which are tubes that are inserted into the bladder to allow urine to drain freely. Urinary catheters can be used for a variety of reasons, such as to rest the bladder, to allow urine to drain if there is an obstruction in the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, or to drain the bladder before, during, or after some types of surgery. There are different types of urinary catheters available, including indwelling catheters, condom catheters, and intermittent self-catheterization. The type of catheter used depends on the individuals health status and the reason for its use. It is important to use the correct type of catheter, and a non-rubber catheter is used if the individual is allergic to latex.