While a feline might conceivably mimic a human esophagus (Fig. 1), the human esophagus likewise can mimic a feline’s. Fine transverse esophageal folds, a normal finding in a cat’s distal esophagus [1], sometimes appear transiently on double-contrast barium esophagography in humans (Fig. 2) [2].

Fig. 1
figure 1

Feline “Willie” demonstrates the orientation of the esophagus in this supine human (image used with permission of Richard T. Dyer).

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Fig. 2
figure 2

“Feline” esophagus on barium study. Double-contrast esophagogram depicts transverse esophageal folds. Lumen contour subsequently normalized within seconds. Note the sliding-type hiatal hernia in this patient being evaluated for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.

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Termed an esophageal “shiver” because of their evanescence, the circumferential plications have been attributed to contraction of the muscularis mucosae [2, 3]. The feline esophagus appearance at esophagography has a strong association with gastroesophageal reflux [2].

Differential diagnoses for feline esophagus include the stacked-ring appearance of eosinophilic esophagitis and the fixed transverse folds that can signify scarring from reflux esophagitis [2].