Definition of Enteral nutrition

Enteral nutrition: A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine. A tube in the nose is called a nasogastric tube or nasoenteral tube. A tube that goes through the skin into the stomach is called a gastrostomy. It may be placed there using a technique called percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. (PEG). A tube into the small intestine is called a jejunostomy. It may be placed there using a technique called percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ).

Enteral nutrition is often called tube feeding. See also: Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=39500
Last Editorial Review: 9/20/2012