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Barium Swallow Pictures

Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho. All rights reserved.
Figure 1 shows the lower end of a normal esophagus with a smooth connection between the lower esophagus and stomach. Figure 2 shows the lower end of the esophagus with a small hiatal hernia, which occurs when a small portion of the stomach pushes up into the chest.
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.