Barium Meals - Why Are They Useful?

The video explains how X-rays work and why they can't pass through bones due to radio opacity. It discusses how to obtain X-ray images of the gastrointestinal tract using a barium meal, a suspension of barium sulfate, which is radio opaque. The video also covers the properties of suspensions, using the example of sand in water, and explains why barium meals are safe despite barium's toxicity. Barium sulfate acts as a contrast agent, improving the visibility of the GI tract in X-ray images. The video concludes with a mention of iodine-based dyes used for angiograms.

What property allows bones to be visible in X-ray images?

• Radio frequency

• Radio opacity

• Radio transparency

• Radioactivity

What is a barium meal primarily composed of?

• Barium chloride

• Barium nitrate

• Barium sulfate

• Barium carbonate

How is a suspension defined in the context of the video?

• A homogeneous mixture

• A mixture of two liquids

• A solution of soluble solids

• A mixture of an insoluble solid and a liquid

Why is a barium meal safe to consume despite the toxicity of most barium compounds?

• It is absorbed by the body

• It passes through the body without being absorbed

• It is neutralized by stomach acids

• It is highly soluble

What is the role of barium sulfate in medical imaging?

• It acts as a dye

• It dissolves in the bloodstream

• It enhances the visibility of certain body parts

• It absorbs X-rays completely