What term describes the route of administration that is through the intestines, either by mouth or via feeding tube?

The term that describes the route of administration through the intestines, whether by mouth or via a feeding tube, is "enteral." This method involves delivering nutrients or medications directly into the gastrointestinal tract, which can be accomplished through various means, such as oral ingestion or the use of enteral feeding tubes for patients who are unable to consume food or medication via the mouth.

In contrast, parenteral administration refers to methods that bypass the gastrointestinal tract, such as intravenous or intramuscular injections. Intravenous specifically denotes administration directly into the bloodstream, while injectable refers more generally to any medication that is administered via a syringe. Understanding these distinctions is important in pharmaceutical practice, as they greatly influence the choice of administration based on the patient's condition and medication characteristics.