barium sulfate

n. A fine white powder, BaSO₄, used as a pigment, as a filler for textiles, rubbers, and plastics, and as a contrast medium in x-ray photography of the digestive tract.

bar′ium sul′fate

n. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble powder, BaSO₄, used chiefly in the synthesis of pigments and as a contrast medium in x-ray diagnosis. [1870–75]

barium sulfate

A fine, white powder, BaSO₄. It is used in making textiles, rubber, and plastic and in taking x-rays of the digestive tract.

Thesaurus

Noun

barium sulfate - a white insoluble radiopaque powder used as a pigmentbarium sulphate, blanc fixesulfate, sulphate - a salt or ester of sulphuric acid

barium sulfate

barium sulfate:

see baritebarite
, barytes
[New Lat., from barium], or heavy spar,
a white, yellow, blue, red, or colorless mineral. It is a sulfate of barium, BaSO₄, found in nature as tabular crystals or in granular or massive form and has a high specific gravity.
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Barium Sulfate

BaSO₄, a salt; colorless crystals with a density of 4.5 g/cm³ and a melting point of 1580° C. This compound is virtually insoluble in water (2 mg per liter at 18° C) but is highly soluble in concentrated H₂SO₄ as a result of the formation of a complex compound. Barium sulfate is found in nature in the form of the mineral barite, which is the principal raw material for production of barium and its compounds. It is a component of the white pigment lithopone and is included in high-quality paper (which gives it its whiteness and smoothness). Petroleum workers use barium sulfate as a weighting material in drilling deep wells. This compound absorbs X rays well and is therefore used in fluoroscopic examinations, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract.

barium sulfate

[′bar·ē·əm ′səl‚fāt] (inorganic chemistry) BaSO₄ A salt occurring in the form of white, rhombic crystals, insoluble in water; used as a white pigment, as an opaque contrast medium for roentgenographic processes, and as an antidiarrheal.

barite

A mineral used in concrete as an aggregate, esp. for the construction of high-density radiation shielding; also called barium sulfate.

barium sulfate

barium

(Ba) [bar´e-um] a chemical element, atomic number 56, atomic weight 137.34. (See Appendix 6.) Ingestion of excessive amounts can be toxic, occasionally resulting in fatal hypokalemia and paralysis.barium sulfate a water-insoluble salt used as an opaque contrast medium for x-ray examination of the digestive tract.barium test x-ray examination using a barium mixture to help locate disorders in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and small and large intestines. Such conditions as peptic ulcer, benign or malignant tumors, colitis, or enlargement of organs that might be causing pressure on the stomach may be readily identified with the use of barium tests. If perforation exists or is suspected, the barium test should not be administered. It is important to evacuate the barium completely following the study; a mild laxative is usually prescribed for this purpose.
Barium sulfate is a harmless chalky, water-insoluble compound that does not permit x-rays to pass through it. Taken before or during an examination, it causes the intestinal tract to stand out in silhouette when viewed through a fluoroscope or seen on an x-ray film.
Two main types of tests are conducted with the use of barium: the barium meal or barium swallow, for radiologic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and the barium enema for examination of the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Barium test: Barium meal and follow-through. Normal stomach and small bowel. From Aspinall and Taylor-Robinson, 2001.

bar·i·um sul·fate

given as a suspension orally, rectally, or through a tube, for radiographic demonstration of a part of the gastrointestinal tract. See: enteroclysis, barium enema.
See also: barium meal.

Barium sulfate

A barium compound used during a barium enema to block the passage of x rays during the exam.Mentioned in: Barium Enema

barium sulfate

barium sulfate

bar′ium sul′fate

barium sulfate

barium sulfate

barium sulfate:

Barium Sulfate

barium sulfate

barite

barium sulfate

barium

bar·i·um sul·fate

Barium sulfate

barium sulfate

Synonyms for barium sulfate

noun a white insoluble radiopaque powder used as a pigment

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