Barium Swallow

Barium Swallow

Picture of a man drinking liquid barium

Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho. All rights reserved.

This person is drinking liquid barium before having a barium swallow study. The radiologist watches a video screen to follow the movement of the barium through the esophagus and to know when to take an X-ray picture.

Current as of: December 19, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Jerome B. Simon MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology