Medical Glossary

This glossary contains:
19186
medical terms

Barium




Barium

A chalky liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show up on an x-ray.

RELATED TERMS
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X-ray
Electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones and internal organs onto film.



SIMILAR TERMS
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Bariatric
Pertaining to bariatrics, the field of medicine concerned with weight loss.

Bariatric surgery
Surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help a person with extreme obesity lose weight. Bariatric surgery is an option for people who have a body mass index (BMI) above 40. Surgery is also an option for people with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have health problems like type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

Bariatrics
The field of medicine that offers treatment for the person who is overweight with a comprehensive program including diet and nutrition, exercise, behavior modification, lifestyle changes and, when indicated, the prescription of appetite suppressants and other appropriate medications. Bariatrics also includes research into overweight, its causes, prevention, and treatment.

Barium enema
A series of x-rays of the lower intestine (colon) and rectum that are taken after the patient is given an enema with a white, chalky solution that contains barium. The barium outlines the intestines on the x-rays. These x-rays permit the detection of colon and rectal abnormalities including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, abnormal colon movement, dilation (widening) of the colon, polyps and cancers of the colon and rectum.

Barium enema with x-ray
Lower GI series. An X-ray examination of the large intestines. X-rays are taken after rectal instillation of barium sulfate.

Barium enema x-ray
See: Lower GI series.

Barium meal
Upper GI series. X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The patient swallows barium first. Barium makes the organs show up on x-rays.

Barium solution
A liquid containing barium sulfate. The barium is radioopaque -- it shows up on x-rays. The barium outlines organs of the body such as the intestines so they can be seen on x-ray film. One use of a barium solution, for example, is for a barium enema.

Barium swallow
An upper gastrointestinal series (barium swallow) is an X-ray test used to define the anatomy of the upper digestive tract. Women who are or may be pregnant should notify the doctor requesting the procedure and the radiology staff. The test involves filling the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines with a white liquid material (barium).



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Basophil
A polymorphonuclear leukocyte., whose basophils granules contain heparin, histamine and other vasoactive amines. Within tissues, these cells are known as mast cells q.v.

Blocking antibody
A functional term for an antibody molecule capable of blocking the interaction of antigen with other antibodies or with cells.

Bursa of Fabricius
An outpouching of the cloaca in birds; site of development of B cells in birds.

Bezoar
A bezoar is a ball of swallowed foreign material (usually hair or fiber) that collects in the stomach and fails to pass through the intestines.

Balloon valvuloplasty
Plastic surgery to repair a valve, especially a heart valve.

Barium

Barium enema with x-ray
Lower GI series. An X-ray examination of the large intestines. X-rays are taken after rectal instillation of barium sulfate.

Barium meal
Upper GI series. X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The patient swallows barium first. Barium makes the organs show up on x-rays.

Barrett's esophagus
Peptic ulcer of the lower esophagus. It is caused by the presence of cells that normally stay in the stomach lining.

Basal body temperature
Temperature of a person's body taken first thing in the morning after several hours of sleep and before any activity, including getting out of bed or talking; often charted to determine the time of ovulation.

Belching
Noisy release of gas from the stomach through the mouth. Also called burping.

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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.







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