BARIUM ENEMA Meaning and
Definition
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A barium enema is a medical procedure used to examine the lower gastrointestinal tract, specifically the colon and rectum. It involves the administration of a contrast agent called barium sulfate into the rectum through a thin tube called an enema tip. Barium sulfate is a radiopaque substance that helps highlight the lining of the colon and rectum on X-ray images.
The procedure begins with the patient lying on an X-ray table. The enema tip is carefully inserted into the rectum, and the barium sulfate solution is slowly injected into the colon. As the barium fills the colon, it coats the lining, allowing the radiologist to visualize the structures more clearly on X-ray images. Throughout the procedure, the radiologist may change the patient's position or apply gentle pressure to ensure the barium evenly coats the colon.
Once the colon has been adequately filled with barium, a series of X-rays and/or fluoroscopy is performed to capture images of the colon from various angles. These images help the radiologist detect abnormalities such as polyps, tumors, ulcers, diverticulosis, and other structural issues.
Barium enemas are commonly used in the diagnosis of conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and internal hemorrhoids. They provide detailed information about the anatomy and functioning of the lower gastrointestinal tract, assisting physicians in making accurate diagnoses and guiding appropriate treatment plans.
Common Misspellings for BARIUM ENEMA
- varium enema
- narium enema
- garium enema
- bzrium enema
- bsrium enema
- bwrium enema
- bqrium enema
- baeium enema
- badium enema
- bafium enema
- batium enema
- ba5ium enema
- ba4ium enema
- baruum enema
- barjum enema
- barkum enema
- baroum enema
Etymology of BARIUM ENEMA
The etymology of the word "barium" comes from the Greek word "barys", meaning "heavy". It refers to the element Barium, which is a heavy metal element with the atomic number 56.
The word "enema" has its etymology stemming from Greek as well. It comes from the Greek word "enienai", which means "to send in". In medicine, an enema refers to the introduction of fluid into the rectum and colon through the anus for therapeutic, diagnostic, or cleansing purposes.
When combined, "barium enema" literally refers to the procedure in which a barium sulfate solution is introduced into the rectum for imaging and examination of the colon and lower gastrointestinal tract.
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