[Pathophysiologic principles of motility disorders of the esophagus]

In primary motility disorders of the esophagus the etiological factors and the pathogenesis of the disease are still unknown. Different mechanisms have been discussed but none of these was conclusive in respect to the origin of the disease. In patients with secondary motility disorders of the esophagus i. e. in diabetes and scleroderma the pathogenic mechanisms seems to be more obvious. Nerval and muscular involvement of the esophagus by the underlying disease leads to the motoric dysfunction of the organ. The manometric feature in these patients is often mimicking a primary motility disorder. In gastroesophageal reflux disease it is still unknown which factor is first in the vicious circle of the disease.