small bowel

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small bowel (smawl) n. the small intestine (see intestine). s.-b. enema (enteroclysis) a technique for examining the jejunum and ileum in which barium sulphate is injected through a tube passing through the mouth into the small bowel and then a series of radiographs is taken. s.-b. meal (barium follow-through) a technique for examining the small bowel in which the patient swallows dilute barium sulphate suspension and then a series of radiographs is taken.