title: Esophageal physiology and pathophysiology.
abstract: This article presents the normal physiology of esophageal peristalsis. It discusses current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of primary disorders of the esophagus, including achalasia, nutcracker esophagus, diffuse esophageal spasm, as well as the secondary disorder, scleroderma.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sugarbaker
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans