ABSTRACT
The cause of achalasia is unknown, but there is some evidence to suggest a viral infection (possibly by a neurotropic herpes virus) of the myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus of the oesophagus. Pathological changes include distortion and loss of ganglion cells in the oesophageal wall and Wallerian degeneration (indicating that denervation of oesophageal smooth muscle is one of the mechanisms involved).
