Definition of tube

The word "tube" has a fascinating history. The term "tube" originally comes from the Latin word "tuba", which refers to a hollow reed or cane. In Middle English, around the 14th century, the word "tube" emerged to describe a hollow, cylindrical object, such as a pipe or a funnel. Over time, the meaning of "tube" expanded to include other hollow structures, like a straw or a pipe organ. In the late 19th century, the term "tube" gained popularity in the context of scientific and medical research, particularly in the fields of anatomy and physiology. In the 20th century, the word "tube" became closely associated with television broadcasting, as in "television tube" or "cathode ray tube" (CRT). Today, the word "tube" has many diverse meanings, from a common household item like a toilet paper tube to a complex medical device like an EMTY (Extra Mediastinal Tube) for respiratory therapy.