Final answer:
The term for administering medications in a way that doesn't involve the alimentary canal is "parenteral." This method includes intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections and is chosen when oral intake is impractical or insufficient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that means "administering medication via a route other than the alimentary canal" is parenteral. Parenteral administration involves introducing substances into the body in a manner that bypasses the alimentary canal, such as via intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections. This mode of delivery is often preferred when a drug is not effectively absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract or when a rapid systemic effect is needed.
For treatment of systemic infections, oral administration of antimicrobials is usually the most convenient for home care. However, when oral administration isn't possible or the drug isn't absorbed well in the GI tract, parenteral routes like intravenous or intramuscular injections are considered, particularly within health-care settings.