Barium
(BAIR-ee-um) A chalky liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show upon an x-ray.
(BAIR-ee-um EN-uh-muh EKS-ray) See Lower GI Series, Barium Meal, Upper GI Series.
(BAH-ruts eh-SAW-fuh-gus) A change in the lining of the esophagus caused by chronic exposure to acid. This change can increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
(BELL-ching) Noisy release of gas from the stomach through the mouth. Also called burping.
(BURN-styn test) A test to find out if heartburn is caused by acid in the esophagus. The test involves dripping a mild acid, similar to stomach acid, through a tube placed in the esophagus.
(BEE-zor) A ball of food, mucus, vegetable fiber, hair, or other material that cannot be digested in the stomach. Bezoars can cause blockage, ulcers, and bleeding.
(BY-ul) Fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps break down fats and gets rid of wastes in the body.
(BY-ul ASS-idz) Acids made by the liver that work with bile to break down fats.
(BY-ul dukts) Tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder for storage and to the small intestine for use in digestion.
(BILL-ee-air-ee uh-TREEZ-ya) A condition present from birth in which the bile ducts inside or outside the liver do not have normal openings. Bile becomes trapped in the liver, causing jaundice and cirrhosis. Without surgery the condition may cause death.
(BILL-ee-air-ee dis-kuh-NEEZ-ya) See postcholecystectomy syndrome.
(BILL-ee-air-ee STRIK-sher) A narrowing of the biliary tract from scar tissue. The scar tissue may result from injury, disease, pancreatitis, infection, or gallstones. See also Stricture.
See Biliary Tract.
The gallbladder and the bile ducts. Also called biliary system or biliary tree.
See Biliary Tract.
(BILL-ee-ROO-bin) The substance formed when hemoglobin breaks down. Bilirubin gives bile its color. Bilirubin is normally passed in stool. Too much bilirubin causes jaundice.
(BIZ-muth SUB-sal-ih-SIL-ayt) A non-prescription medicine such as Pepto-Bismol. Used to treat diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, and nausea. It is also part of the treatment for ulcers caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (HELL-uh-koh-BAK-turpy-LOH-ree).
(BLO-ting) Fullness or swelling in the abdomen that often occurs after meals.
(BOR-boh-RIG-mee) Rumbling sounds caused by gas moving through the intestines (stomach"growling").
(BAH-wul) Another word for the small and large intestines.
(BAH-wul MOOV-munt) Body wastes passed through the rectum and anus.
The process used to clean the colon with enemas and a special drink. Used before surgery of the colon, colonoscopy, or barium x-ray. See also Lavage.
(BUD kee-AH-ree sin-drohm) A rare liver disease in which the veins that drain blood from the liver are blocked or narrowed.
(BUL-king AY-jents) Laxatives that make bowel movements soft and easy to pass.
See Belching.