Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Feeding tube

Feeding tube

A feeding tube is a small, soft, plastic tube placed through the nose or mouth into the stomach. A feeding tube is used to provide food and medicine into the stomach until a person can take food by mouth.

Update Date: 6/18/2008

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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