Diseases

Esophageal Achalasia

A motility disorder of the ESOPHAGUS in which the LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER (near the CARDIA) fails to relax resulting in functional obstruction of the esophagus, and DYSPHAGIA. Achalasia is characterized by a grossly contorted and dilated esophagus (megaesophagus).

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A motility disorder of the ESOPHAGUS in which the LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER (near the CARDIA) fails to relax resulting in functional obstruction of the esophagus, and DYSPHAGIA. Achalasia is characterized by a grossly contorted and dilated esophagus (megaesophagus).

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • Achalasia
  • Achalasia, Esophageal
  • Cardiospasm
  • Achalasias
  • Achalasias, Esophageal
  • Cardiospasms
  • Esophageal Achalasias
  • Megaesophagus

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

35 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

CARDIOSPASM refers to spasm of the CARDIA, not the heart; not for esophageal spasm ( = ESOPHAGEAL SPASM, DIFFUSE)

MeSH Record

History Note

1985; for ACHALASIA OF ESOPHAGUS use CARDIOSPASM 1974-1984; for ACHALASIA use CARDIOSPASM 1963-1973; CARDIOSPASM was heading 1963-1984

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WI 258

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Esophageal Achalasia. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004931. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004931
  2. Esophageal Achalasia. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophageal_achalasia
  3. Esophageal Achalasia. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q661015