piggyback port

piggyback port

Etymology: AS, piken, pick; ME, pakke, pack; L, portus, haven

a special coupling in the primary IV tubing that allows a supplementary, or piggyback, solution to run into the IV system. The piggyback port includes a back check valve that automatically prevents the primary IV solution from flowing while the piggyback solution is flowing. When the piggyback solution stops flowing, the back check valve allows the flow of the primary IV solution. Piggyback ports are part of piggyback IV sets, which are used solely for intermittent drug administration.