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Feeding tube

Feeding tube

Overview

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.

Review Date 6/7/2022

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.