- enema
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- air contrast e. a radiographic double contrast e. in which air is introduced after coating of the colon with a dense barium suspension. SYN: air contrast barium e., double contrast e..- barium e. a type of contrast e.; administration of barium sulfate suspension, a radiopaque medium, for radiographic and fluoroscopic study of the lower intestinal tract.- oil retention e. a rectal injection of mineral oil, introduced at low pressure and retained for several hours before expelling, to soften feces.- small bowel e. radiographic examination of the small intestine, by retrograde filling from the contrast-filled large bowel. Cf.:enteroclysis, small bowel series.
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1) the injection of liquid into the intestine by way of the anus (as for cleansing or examination)2) the liquid injected by an enema* * *
n. (pl. enemata or enemas)a quantity of fluid infused into the rectum through a tube passed into the anus. An evacuant enema (soap or olive oil) is used to remove faeces. A therapeutic enema is used to insert drugs into the rectum, usually corticosteroids in the treatment of proctocolitis. See also barium enema, small-bowel enema.* * *
en·e·ma (enґə-mə) [Gr.] 1. a liquid injected or to be injected into the rectum. 2. the injection of such a liquid.
Medical dictionary. 2011.