The various types of upper GI barium tests include:

• Barium swallow. Also called a barium x-ray or upper GI series, it involves a liquid barium x-ray of the stomach along with the esophagus (tube connecting the mouth to the stomach), duodenum (upper part of the small intestine) or both. It has also been used to describe a liquid barium x-ray of the esophagus only (esophagram).
  
  
• Modified barium swallow. Refers to liquid barium testing of the uppermost parts of the digestive tract including the mouth, pharynx (passageway that connects the mouth and nose to the lungs and stomach) and esophagus. This test is most often used with elderly individuals, people with Parkinson’s disease, stroke patients or those with other neurological disorders. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and aspiration (in which food or liquids enter the airway and lungs) are common concerns among these populations.
  
  
• Barium meal. Also known as a barium beefsteak meal, it refers to a test in which the patient digests food containing barium. The test determines whether the stomach can adequately process food. The term “barium meal” may also refer to a liquid test assessing the esophagus, stomach and/or duodenum.
  
  
• Small bowel series. This term refers to a liquid barium x-ray of the small intestines. A small-bowel series is often performed after a barium swallow assessing the esophagus and stomach.