Definition: With the barium meal procedure, the patient drinks a suspension of barium sulphate before having X-rays of their esophagus, stomach, and duodenum taken. Barium shows up clearly on the inside surfaces of these hollow organs when X-rays are taken, giving a picture of their shape. This procedure is also called an upper GI series.
A doctor may use this procedure to help in the diagnosis of structural and motility abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine.
Pronunciation: BA-ree-uhm meel
Also Known As: Barium swallow, Barium x-rays
