Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

2.0K
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
2.0K
Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders01:20

Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

628
Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
628
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

1.2K
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
1.2K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

9.3K
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
9.3K
Deglutition01:25

Deglutition

2.7K
Swallowing, otherwise known as deglutition, facilitates the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a multifaceted process that involves both the tongue and the muscles of the throat and esophagus. Saliva and mucus aid in this process, which takes approximately 4 to 8 seconds for semi-solid or solid food and around 1 second for liquids or very soft food.
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
2.7K
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

1.4K
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
1.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Innovations in Advanced Endoscopic Resection of Early Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026
Same author

Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease: Interdisciplinary Considerations and Management.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same author

Dupilumab for Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Adolescents and Adults: Real-World Outcomes Across Different Dosing Regimens from the EoE CONNECT Registry.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same author

Letter: Peripheral Blood Eosinophils as Complementary Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Follow-Up in Eosinophilic Oesophagitis-Authors' Reply.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2026
Same author

An inverse probability of treatment weighted comparison between vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and tofacitinib in anti-TNF-experienced ulcerative colitis patients.

Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology·2026
Same author

The Immune Architecture of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, and Precision Management.

ImmunoTargets and therapy·2026
Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Buruli ulcer in Africa: between innovation and pragmatism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Author Correction: Atopic dermatitis.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia
11:19

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia

Published on: August 11, 2023

1.6K

Achalasia.

Edoardo Savarino1,2, Shobna Bhatia3, Sabine Roman4,5,6

  • 1Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova (AOUP), Padua, Italy. edoardo.savarino@unipd.it.

Nature Reviews. Disease Primers
|May 5, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder caused by nerve damage, leading to swallowing difficulties and chest pain. Treatments like pneumatic dilation and myotomy offer symptom relief, but long-term surveillance for complications like cancer is unclear.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Cutting-Edge Robotic Heller Myotomy Protocol for Treatment of Achalasia
09:46

Author Spotlight: Cutting-Edge Robotic Heller Myotomy Protocol for Treatment of Achalasia

Published on: February 16, 2024

858
Use of the Scissor-Type Knife During the Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy Procedure for the Treatment of Achalasia
06:42

Use of the Scissor-Type Knife During the Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy Procedure for the Treatment of Achalasia

Published on: March 3, 2023

3.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia
11:19

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia

Published on: August 11, 2023

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Cutting-Edge Robotic Heller Myotomy Protocol for Treatment of Achalasia
09:46

Author Spotlight: Cutting-Edge Robotic Heller Myotomy Protocol for Treatment of Achalasia

Published on: February 16, 2024

858
Use of the Scissor-Type Knife During the Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy Procedure for the Treatment of Achalasia
06:42

Use of the Scissor-Type Knife During the Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy Procedure for the Treatment of Achalasia

Published on: March 3, 2023

3.3K

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Esophageal Motility Disorders
  • Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

  • Achalasia is a rare esophageal smooth muscle disorder.
  • Characterized by impaired lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation and absent/spastic esophageal contractions.
  • Pathophysiology involves loss of inhibitory nerve function, likely autoimmune-mediated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of achalasia.
  • To discuss treatment options and their efficacy.
  • To highlight diagnostic challenges and long-term implications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on achalasia.
  • Discussion of diagnostic modalities including endoscopy, manometry, and barium radiography.
  • Analysis of therapeutic interventions and their outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Achalasia affects all ages and sexes, with increased incidence in older individuals.
  • Cardinal symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss.
  • Effective treatments include pneumatic dilation, per-oral endoscopic myotomy, and laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for symptom control.
  • Definitive therapies offer durable symptom benefit.
  • Long-term complications, including rare esophageal cancer, necessitate further research into surveillance strategies.