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.
Nearby words
achaeans, achaemenes, achaemenian, achaemenid, achaemenids, achalasia, achan, acharya, achates, achaz, ache
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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
Medicine 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.