enteral
UK[ˈɛntərəl]US[ˈɛntərəl]
adj
relating to or occurring in the intestines.
adj
administered via the intestines, especially by feeding through a tube into the stomach or small intestine.
Morpheme Breakdown
enter
al
enter
intestine
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'enteral' is a modern medical term constructed from classical components. its core, 'enter', is derived directly from the ancient greek word 'enteron', which meant 'intestine' or 'gut'. this greek root is itself traceable to the proto-indo-European root 'en-tero-', signifying an 'inner part'. the suffix '-al' is a latin-derived adjectival ending, commonly used in english to mean 'pertaining to'. thus, the literal construction 'pertaining to the intestine' accurately describes its primary medical usage, distinguishing methods like tube feeding (enteral nutrition) from those bypassing the gut (parenteral).
Analysis
Structure: enter (intestine) + al (adjective suffix)
enter (from greek 'enteron', meaning intestine); al (a suffix of latin origin used to form adjectives meaning 'of, relating to, or characterized by').
Examples
enteral nutrition is often preferred for patients with a functioning gastrointestinal tract.
the medication is available in a formulation suitable for enteral administration.
complications can arise from long-term enteral feeding.