URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/10002.htm

Barium ingestion

Barium ingestion

Overview

An upper GI series is performed to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The purpose of the test is to detect abnormalities in those areas.

Review Date 10/29/2020

Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.