Lump sensation in throat is common symptom in middle aged woman and in that case, true dysphagia is usually absent. Globus hystericus is generally assumed to be of psychic origin but its pathophysiology is still remained unknown. We performed this study to evaluate esophageal functional abnormality in patients with globus hystericus by esophageal manometry. An or- ganic cause for their symptorns were ruled out by physical examination of laryngopharynx and esophagoscopy. Patients with posterior nasal drip were ex luded. Thirty six patients(mean age 45 years, 28 63) and control group of 23(mean age 49 years, 35 67) were examined with water perfused 6 lumen catheter and low compliance system. The data was analyzd with soft- ware of Synetic2'Low esophageal sphincter(LES) pressure of control group was 18.2k5.3mmHg (station pull through;SPT, mean+S.D.), 25.7+6.5mmHg(rapid pull throught, RPT) and % relaxation was 94.3+ 5.9%. Five(14% ) of patient group showed abnormally high or low LES pressure and the other 2 patients showed incomplete relaxation. Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure of control group was 82.1k29.1mmHg(SPT, meankS.D.), 91.5+30.3rnmHg (RPT) and % relaxation was 88.8+5.5%. Three(8%) of patient group showed abnormally high UES pressure and the other 3 patients showed incomplete relaxation. Basal pressure of upper esophageal body(7.5mmHg) was significantly higher than that of control group (4.3mmHg, p<0.01, t t,est). In t,he body of esophagus, various kinds of abnormal finding with wet swallow were noted; nutcracker esophagus in 3 patients(8%), high amplitude of upper esophagus in 3 patients(8% ), and non-specific esophageal motility disorder in 7 patients. Twen- ty three out of 36 patients(64%) with globus hystericus showed at least one abnormal esopha geal motility findings. It could be concluded that dysmotility of esophageai body as well as UES may be pathophysiology of globus hystericus.(Korean J Gastroenterol 1994; 26: 625 630)