tube feeding, the administration of nutritionally balanced liquefied foods or nutrients through a tube inserted into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or jejunum. Tube feeding may be indicated after mouth or gastric surgery, in cases of severe burns, in paralysis or obstruction of the esophagus, in severe cases of anorexia nervosa, and for unconscious patients or those unable to chew or swallow, among other conditions. Also called esophageal feeding, gavage feeding, jejunostomy feeding, nasogastric feeding. See also drip gavage, enteral tube feeding.
