achalasia

American  

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

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. 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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achalasia British  

/ ˌækəˈleɪzɪə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of achalasia

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

Example Sentences

The plays thrust Smith into an unexpected spotlight, and he gave interview after interview that week reliving not just his role in The Tip but also his route to the NFL from seventh-round pick who had overcome the rare throat condition called Achalasia, which causes difficulty swallowing, while in college.

From Seattle Times

After giving birth, Rivera underwent surgery for a medical condition known as achalasia that caused her esophagus to close up, further preventing her from working at her job as a teacher at a daycare.

From Salon

The surgery was designed to help her manage this oesophageal disease, called achalasia.

From BBC

He suffers from recurring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus, and has been regularly hospitalised for treatment.

From The Guardian

To civic and business groups across the Seattle area, he explained how injuries interrupted his career at U.S.C., and how the onset of a rare disorder of the esophagus called achalasia hindered his ability to swallow and caused him to lose 30 pounds and jeopardized his football future, and how he was not even invited to the N.F.L. scouting combine in 2011, so remote was the chance he would be drafted.

From New York Times