enteral nutrition

Giving nutrients and other substances directly into the stomach or small intestine.

Enteral nutrition may be given as a liquid through a nasogastric (NG) tube inserted through the nose, down the pharynx (throat) and esophagus, into the stomach. It may also be given through a gastrostomy (a surgical procedure to create an opening into the stomach through the abdominal wall) or jejunostomy (a surgical procedure to create an opening into the small intestine through the abdominal wall).

Also called enteral feeding or tube feeding.