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upper gastrointestinal series

(UH-per GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul SEER-eez)
A series of x-ray pictures of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the throat, esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The x-ray pictures are taken after the patient drinks a liquid that contains barium sulfate (a silver-white metallic compound). The barium sulfate coats and outlines the inner walls of the upper GI tract so they can be seen on the x-ray pictures. Also called barium swallow and upper GI series.
Barium swallow; drawing shows barium liquid flowing down the esophagus and into the stomach. The barium coats and outlines the inside of the esophagus and stomach. The inset x-ray image shows a narrowing at the end of the esophagus caused by cancer.Enlarge this image in new window
Barium swallow for esophageal cancer. The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The barium coats and outlines the inside of the esophagus and stomach. This allows abnormal areas, such as esophageal cancer, to be seen on x-rays.
Barium swallow; drawing shows barium liquid flowing down the esophagus and into the stomach. The barium coats and outlines the inside of the esophagus and stomach. Also shown is cancer in the stomach.Enlarge this image in new window
Barium swallow for stomach cancer. The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The barium coats and outlines the inside of the esophagus and stomach. This allows abnormal areas, such as stomach cancer, to be seen on x-rays.
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