Considerable controversy persists concerning what is strictly normal or abnormal in the distal esophagus and at the cardia. Should it be possible to have a particular observation generally accepted, subsequent definitions of such entities as hiatus hernia, vestibule (1), or ampulla (2), might be more readily and more accurately derived. Common ground for definitions is needed. Cineradiographic records of 110 unselected fluoroscopic studies of the esophagus were taken from the files and the peristaltic behavior at the cardia was analyzed. The records did not represent an average population distribution. There was a higher than normal percentage of disease, primarily hiatus hernia and lower “esophageal ring” (3–5). There were also patients with varying degrees of tertiary contractions, segmental spasms, or esophageal dysfunction. Carcinoma and stenosis cases contributed little information about peristalsis except that it was absent in the area of involvement. Analysis of each esophageal examination was carr...