The relative positions of the left ventricular apex and base in end-diastole (ED) and end-systole (ES) were determined in a group of normal individuals using cross-sectional echocardiography (group A) and in a group of patients with normal hemodynamics and angiographic parameters using cine-computed tomography (group B). In both groups no change was detected in the position of the epicardial aspect of the apex from ED to ES. The base moved in direction of the apex by 10.2% +/- 1.9% (mean +/- standard deviation) of the longitudinal dimension of the chamber in group A and by 12.9% +/- 5.1% in group B. In both groups the apical cavity was obliterated by the peri-apical walls. Apical obliteration is responsible for the apparent movement of the apical segment seen in cineventriculography.