enteral

[ en-ter-uhl ]

adjective

1. enteric.

Other Words From

• enter·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of enteral¹

First recorded in 1900–05; enter- + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Those findings indicate that exclusive enteral nutrition is the most well-supported approach, but isn’t realistic for everyone.

From Time

Short-term exclusive enteral nutrition programs are designed to induce remission in six to 12 weeks.

From Time

Internally, the procedure is known as “involuntary enteral feeding.”

From The Daily Beast

More About Enteral

What does enteral mean?

Enteral is a medical term that means within, by way of, or related to the intestines.

A much more common word for this is intestinal. A close synonym is enteric.

In medicine, enteral nutrition involves introducing nutrients through a tube into the stomach or small intestine.

The related word enteron is a technical name for the digestive tract or the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the intestines.

Example: Restarting enteral nutrition is an important part of the recovery process.

Where does enteral come from?

The first records of the word enteral come from the early 1900s. The root entero- is used in many words related to the intestines, such as enterology (the branch of medicine dealing with the intestines). It comes from the Greek énteron, meaning “intestine.”

Within the medical field, the term enteral is used to describe a range of different things either found in or related to the intestines, especially the small intestine. The word enteral is contrasted with the word parenteral, which means not in the intestine or taken into the body in a manner other than through the digestive canal. For example, the term parenteral nutrition often refers to nutrients given to a patient intravenously (through an IV).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to enteral?

• enterally (adverb)

What are some synonyms for enteral?

• intestinal
• enteric

What are some words that share a root or word element with enteral? 

• parenteral
• enteralgia
• enteron
• enterobacteria

What are some words that often get used in discussing enteral?

• nutrition
• intestine
• digestive tract
• digestion
• gastrointestinal

How is enteral used in real life?

Enteral is used in a medical context.

Intermittent versus continuous enteral nutrition attenuates increases in insulin and leptin during short-term bed rest @Gonzalez_JT #openaccess https://t.co/wMzyxs6S3p

— European Journal of Applied Physiology (@EJAP_official) July 13, 2020

As soon as resuscitation is done, transition to enteral fluids & stop IV maintenance (as tolerated). Only continue IVFs for predictable losses that enteral can’t kept up with (but try first!). This is a great role for the #ICUDietitian to own! #WhatRDsDo #ICUNutrition #CCC49 https://t.co/toNSKdQKNI

— Ashley DePriest, RDN, CNSC (@LifeWithoutDiet) February 17, 2020

Enteral nutrition is critical to #ICULiberation.

Hot off the press in @PedCritCareMed from HALF-PINT & Srinivasan et al @NileshMehtaMD @VinayMNadkarni : The title says it all.

Learn more at https://t.co/iLVFwGl6iK#PedsICU #dietitian #nutrition #icurehab @nih_nhlbi @SCCM pic.twitter.com/RKXOPbdDWP

— Sapna Kudchadkar, MD, PhD (@SapnaKmd) October 3, 2019

 

Try using enteral!

True or False? 

Enteral means the same thing as intestinal.