The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a vast network of neurons embedded in the walls of your gastrointestinal tract, stretching from the esophagus to the rectum. It contains so many nerve cells that scientists often call it the “second brain.” The meaning of ENTERIC is of, relating to, or affecting the intestines; broadly : alimentary. How to use enteric in a sentence. What is enteric bacteria? Enteric bacteria are bacteria that typically exist in the intestines of animals and humans. Enteric bacteria can be either harmless, such as gut flora or microbiota, or pathogenic, which means that they cause disease. An enteric infection is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach and intestines. This condition, broadly known as gastroenteritis, is sometimes called the “stomach flu,” though it is not caused by the influenza virus. Most enteric coatings work by presenting a surface that is stable at the intensely acidic pH found in the stomach, but breaks down rapidly at a higher pH (alkaline pH). pertaining to the small intestine; called also enteral. enteric-coated of tablets, having a special coating that prevents release and absorption of their contents until they reach the intestine. Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. Enteric pathogens are broadly categorized into three main types of infectious agents. Enteric bacteria, such as Salmonella and specific strains of Escherichia coli, are single-celled organisms that multiply independently. Enteric is a medical term that means within, by way of, or related to the intestines. A much more common word for this is intestinal. A close synonym is enteral. The enteric nervous system is a network of neurons and glia that controls gastrointestinal functions. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the enteric diseases that are caused by the consumption of water contaminated with bacteria and viruses. In vertebrates, the enteric nervous system includes efferent neurons, afferent neurons, and interneurons, all of which make the enteric nervous system capable of carrying reflexes and acting as an integrating center in the absence of CNS input.