Intestinal Support Common Terminology

Atresia: a part of the GI tract is absent or gone; this can occur anywhere along the GI tract

Broviac: a central line that is tunneled under the skin so that the exit site is away from where the catheter enters the blood vessel

Colostomy: a part of the colon is brought out as an opening on the abdominal wall

Enteral: by the intestinal tract; enteral nutrition usually means formula given either by gastrostomy tube or jejunostomy tube

Gastroschisis: in utero there is an opening of the abdominal wall just next to the umbilicus; the intestine herniates through this opening. Download our patient handout.

Gastrostomy tube (G-tube): a feeding tube placed directly into the stomach

G-J tube: a gastrostomy tube with an extension that extends into the small intestine from the stomach; the tube has two openings so that the stomach and small intestine can each be accessed

Hirschsprung’s disease: a disease where the ganglion (nerve) cells are missing in the last part of the intestinal tract; it usually affects just the last part of the colon, but can extend higher up in the intestinal tract

Ileostomy: a part of the ileum (the lower part of the small intestine) is brought out as an opening on the abdominal wall

Jejunostomy: an opening on the abdominal wall into the jejunum (first part of the small intestine); it can be either for a feeding tube or an ostomy which drains the upper GI tract

Jejunostomy tube (J-tube): a feeding tube placed directly into the small intestine

Meconium ileus: an obstruction in the ileum (the lower part of the small intestine) caused by very thick meconium; meconium is the material that collects in the GI tract of the fetus; meconium ileus most commonly occurs in cystic fibrosis

Nasogastric tube (NG tube): a feeding tube that is passed through the nose and into the stomach

Nasojejunal tube (NJ tube): a feeding tube that is passed through the nose, past the stomach, and into the small intestine

Necrotizing enterocolitis: this most commonly occurs in premature newborn infants; there is severe inflammation of the intestine which can cause destruction of part of the intestine

Omphalocele: in utero, the abdominal wall does not close at the umbilicus and the intestine as well as sometimes the liver and spleen remain outside the abdomen in a sac

Parenteral: intravenous

PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter): a catheter inserted usually through a vessel in the arm or leg and extending so that the tip is in a large vessel near the heart or in the heart itself

Pseudo-obstruction: a severe motility problem of the intestinal tract which can be caused by either a problem with the nerves or muscle of the GI tract

Short bowel syndrome: loss of a significant portion of the intestine that causes marked absorption problems

TPN: total parenteral (intravenous) nutrition also known as hyperalimentation

Volvulus: a twisting of the intestine, usually associated with a condition called malrotation (a congenital problem where the intestines are not turned and fixed normally in utero)