The word “enteral” comes from the Greek word for “intestines,” enteron. Enteral nutrition involves placing food directly into the stomach or intestines, which eliminates the need for the person to chew or swallow. For example, a person who is in a coma is not able to chew and swallow. Certain injuries to the head and neck may prevent a person from chewing and swallowing, as might certain cancers. Sometimes people in the advanced stages of dementia “forget” how to swallow. All of these people may require enteral nutrition.
Enteral nutrition is sometimes called “tube feeding” because food, in the form of a formula-like fluid, is delivered through a tube that has been passed into the digestive tract. There are many ways to access the digestive tract with the feeding tube.
It is inserted through the nose (naso-), down the throat, and into the stomach (gastric).
It is inserted through the nose (naso-), down the throat, and into the small intestine (intestinal).
It is inserted into the stomach (gastro-) through a surgical incision (stoma). The incision is made in the abdomen.
It is inserted into the jejunum (part of the small intestine) through a surgical incision (stoma). The incision is made in the abdomen.
It is a special type of gastrostomy tube that is inserted into the stomach with the aid of an endoscope, a lighted, fl exible tool that allows the doctor to see inside the body. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, down the throat, and into the stomach to help the doctor determine where to make the incision for the PEG tube. Placement of a PEG tube is faster, cheaper, and less risky for the patient than placement of a regular gastrostomy tube because open abdominal surgery is not needed.
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