What does enterally mean?
Enterally is a formal medical adverb meaning “in or into the intestines,” especially with reference to how food, medicine, or other treatment is delivered. If a drug is given enterally, it travels through the gastrointestinal tract and is therefore subject to digestion and intestinal absorption; administration may be by mouth, through a feeding tube, or by another appropriate enteral route. The term is broader than orally because it does not insist that the substance be swallowed by mouth, and it contrasts with parenterally, which describes delivery that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. Enterally is uncommon in everyday speech and is encountered mainly in clinical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional writing. Its unusual form can be understood through enteral: just as an enteral route operates through the gut, its content is delivered enterally. Although its meaning is specialized, the word is useful for distinguishing routes of administration precisely, where general terms such as internally may conceal important practical differences.
adverbIn or into the intestines; by way of the intestinal tract.
- By way of the intestinal tract; in or into the intestines.
"The nutritional formula was administered enterally through the feeding tube."
"The feeds were administered enterally through the patient's nasogastric tube."
"Enterally administered medication is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract."
Think “enteral”: enterally means delivery through the gut, contrasting with parenteral delivery that bypasses it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does enterally come from?
Enterally was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to enteral. The adjective enteral comes through Latin from Greek enteron, meaning “intestine,” whose enter- element is related to Greek enter, “in” or “into.” This root is also reflected in English words such as enter, enteric, and enteritis.
How enterally is actually used
Enterally is uncommon outside clinical, pharmaceutical, and nutrition contexts. It denotes delivery into or via the gastrointestinal tract and should not be used as a general synonym for internally. It is broader than orally because it does not require administration by mouth, while it contrasts with parenterally, which describes delivery that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.
Easily confused with enterally
Internally means within a place, organization, or body generally, whereas enterally specifically refers to the intestines or delivery through the gastrointestinal tract.