Define Aspiration Medical Term

In medical terminology, the term "aspiration" refers to the act of inhaling or drawing in a substance, such as a liquid or foreign object, into the respiratory tract (lungs) rather than allowing it to enter the digestive tract (stomach and intestines). Aspiration can occur accidentally, such as when food or liquid "goes down the wrong pipe" and enters the airway, potentially leading to respiratory problems or pneumonia. It can also refer to a medical procedure where a healthcare provider uses a needle and syringe to withdraw fluid or tissue from a specific area of the body, like a cyst or joint, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.