enteral nutrition (EN-teh-rul noo-TRIH-shun) A form of nutrition
that is delivered into the digestive system as a liquid.
Drinking nutrition beverages or formulas and tubefeeding are
forms of enteral nutrition. People who are unable to meet their
needs with food and beverages alone, and who do not have
vomiting or uncontrollable diarrhea may be given tubefeedings.
Tubefeeding can be used to add to what a person is able to eat
or can be the only source of nutrition. A small feeding tube may
be placed through the nose into the stomach or the small
intestine, or it may be surgically placed into the stomach or
the intestinal tract through an opening made on the outside of
the abdomen, depending on how long it will be used.