The term parenteral means "via the alimentary canal".

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Intravenous
• D. Oral

Answer: (B)

Parenteral describes routes of administration that bypass the gastrointestinal tract. The alimentary canal is the GI tract, so giving something via the alimentary canal is called enteral, not parenteral. Therefore the statement is false. In practice, parenteral routes include injections or infusions such as intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administration, which deliver substances directly into the body without going through the digestive system. By contrast, oral administration is a classic enteral route.