The feeding line or tunnelled catheter enters a large vein near the shoulder and then goes down inside the vein until the tip rests near your heart (A). The other end is tunnelled under the skin (B) and brought out through the skin on your chest (C). From the heart, large blood vessels take the nutrients to all parts of the body.
This feeding line is placed under x-ray guidance and if well cared for can last for many years. A strict aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) must be used at all times whenever handling the line by yourself or others to prevent contamination by germs or organisms which can cause infection.