Final answer:
The part of a needle that attaches to the collecting tube or syringe is called the hub. It provides a secure and sterile connection essential for preventing contamination during medical procedures such as blood collection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of a needle that attaches to the collecting tube or syringe is known as the hub. The hub is a small but crucial component that allows a secure and sterile connection between the needle and the collection device, ensuring that the specimen or fluid can be transferred without contamination. In medical procedures, ensuring a sterile connection is imperative to prevent infections and other complications.
In terms of blood collection as depicted in FIGURE 10.21 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the hub serves as the point of attachment for a collection tube or syringe, facilitating the transfer of blood due to capillary action or vacuum into the collection device. This process should be conducted using sterile techniques to prevent microbial contamination, as referenced in the electron micrograph showing Staphylococcus aureus on a contaminated catheter.