A tube passed into the stomach to wash it out or to take samples of the contents.
A soft rubber or plastic tube with rounded end, and usually about 75 cm (30 inches) in length, which is used for washing out the stomach when it contains some poisonous material. A narrower tube, 90 cm (36 inches) in length, is used to obtain a sample of gastric juice for examination. Such a tube can also be allowed to pass out of the stomach into the duodenum so that the contents of the upper part of the small intestine are similarly obtained for analysis. Persons who are unable to take food normally, for example all very premature babies or persons with severe neurological disease affecting swallowing, may be fed through such tubes.
A rubber tube utilized for washing out or removing the contents of the stomach, also known as a stomach pump.