achalasia
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-, “not”) + χάλασις (khálasis, “relaxation”), from χαλάω (khaláō, “I loosen”).
Pronunciation
[edit]Noun
[edit]achalasia (countable and uncountable, plural achalasias)
- (medicine) A neuromuscular condition where a ring of muscles is unable to relax fully, causing obstruction of a lumen, as:
- (usually and especially) Such obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia.
- Coordinate term: pseudoachalasia
- (strictly) Such esophageal achalasia of primary (idiopathic) nature: primary esophageal achalasia.
- (occasionally) Such obstruction due to impairment of other gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles.
- (usually and especially) Such obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia.