Areae gastricae traversing the esophageal hiatus: a sign of hiatus hernia.

The areae gastricae are often visible as a structural feature of the gastric mucosa during double-contrast studies of the stomach. In this paper, radiographic visualization of the areae gastricae traversing the esophageal hiatus is described as a sign of hiatus hernia. In most instances, other radiographic signs of hiatus hernia are also present or may be elicited.