Which route of administration is considered enteral?

The oral route of administration is classified as enteral because it involves delivering medication directly into the digestive tract. This is a key aspect of enteral drug delivery systems, which include any method that allows substances to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. When a medication is taken orally, it is swallowed, passes through the esophagus, and enters the stomach and intestines, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

In contrast, the other routes of administration such as intramuscular, intradermal, and intravenous bypass the gastrointestinal tract entirely. Intramuscular administration involves injecting medication into muscle tissue, intradermal involves injecting into the dermis just beneath the skin, and intravenous administration involves delivering medication directly into the bloodstream through a vein. These methods do not involve the enteral system and thus do not qualify as enteral routes. Therefore, the oral route stands out as the correct answer for this question regarding enteral administration.