achalasia

[ ak-uh-ley-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]
/ ˌæk əˈleɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /

noun Medicine/Medical.

inability of a circular muscle, especially of the esophagus or rectum, to relax, resulting in widening of the structure above the muscular constriction.

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Origin of achalasia

1910–15; a-6 + Greek chálas(is) (chala- (stem of chalân to loosen) + -sis -sis) + -ia

Words nearby achalasia

achaean, achaean league, achaemenes, achaemenian, achaemenid, achalasia, achan, acharya, achates, achaz, ache
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for achalasia

achalasia
/ (ˌækəˈleɪzɪə) /

noun

pathol failure of the cardiac sphincter of the oesophagus to relax, resulting in difficulty in swallowing

Word Origin for achalasia

New Latin, from a- 1 + Greek chalasis relaxation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for achalasia

achalasia
[ ăk′ə-lā′zhə ]

n.

The failure of a ring of muscle fibers, such as a sphincter, to relax.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.