Enteral feeding: administration of nutrients through a tube
ENTERAL FEEDING This method involves the administration of nutrients through a tube directly to the stomach or duodenum. This avoids the need for the patient to ingest food via the mouth and esophagus. Artificial feeding is used in instances when oral feeding is not possible. Nevertheless, the patient must have a functional digestive tract in order to absorb the nutrients correctly. There are two types of artificial feeding: enteral feeding and parenteral feeding.