Glossary Term:

Title

barium sulfate

Phonetic

<b>bear</b>-ee-um <b>sul</b>-fate

Description

a substance made into a chalky liquid that is used to outline the digestive tract for x-rays. It can be taken by mouth, as part of upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, or put into the rectum as a barium enema (as part of a lower GI series). See also barium enema, gastrointestinal tract.