Dictionary

Barr body A microscopic feature of female cells that is due to the presence of two X chromosomes, one of which is inactive and crumples up.

barotitis See aerotitis.

barosinusitis See aerosinusitis.

barium swallow A test that involves filling the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines with a barium solution in preparation for an X-ray, to define the anatomy of the upper digestive tract. Also known as upper gastrointestinal series.

barium sulfate An odorless, flavorless barium salt. Barium is a metallic chemical element. See also barium enema; barium solution; barium swallow.

barium solution A liquid that contains barium sulfate, which produces a visible image on X-ray film. Barium solution outlines organs of the body so they can be seen as images on X-ray film.

barium enema An enema using a white, chalky solution containing barium, in preparation for series of X-ray images of the lower intestine (colon). The barium outlines the colon on the X-ray film.

bariatrics The field of medicine that focuses on persons who are overweight using a comprehensive program including diet and nutrition, exercise, behavior modification, lifestyle changes, and, when indicated, the prescription of appetite suppressants and other appropriate medications. Bariatrics also includes research into overweight, as well as its causes, prevention, and treatment. See also bariatric surgery.

bariatrician A physician who specializes in bariatrics. See bariatrics.

bariatric surgery Surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help a person with extreme obesity lose weight. Bariatric surgery is an option for people who have a body mass index (BMI) above 40. It is also an option for people with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have health problems like type 2 diabetes…

barbiturate A class of drugs that depresses activity in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), including many sleeping pills, sedatives, antispasmodics, and anesthetics. Barbiturates are addictive, carry a high risk of overdose, and should never be used with alcohol or with other nervous system depressants.

banding of chromosomes Treatment staining of chromosomes to reveal characteristic patterns of horizontal bands. Thanks to these banding patterns, which resemble bar codes, each human chromosome is distinctive and can be identified without ambiguity. Banding also permits the detection of chromosome deletions (lost segments), duplications (extra segments), and other structural abnormalities.