What it means
In anatomy, the midline divides the body into equal right and left halves. A structure "at midline" is centered, such as a trachea that is midline in the neck; one that has shifted to one side is "deviated". A midline catheter is a longer peripheral IV, about 8 to 20 cm (3 to 8 inches), put into a vein of the upper arm so its tip lies below the armpit. It is not a central line, and it can stay in place longer than a short IV, up to about 4 weeks.
For the nurse
A trachea pushed away from midline after chest trauma can signal a tension pneumothorax: report it at once. Care for a midline catheter as the facility directs for peripheral lines; some drugs too irritating for small veins still need a central line.
At a glance
| Spanish | línea media |
|---|---|
| Also written | midline catheter, midlines |