Nutcracker esophagus, jackhammer esophagus, or hypercontractile peristalsis, is a disorder of the movement of the esophagus characterized by contractions in the smooth muscle of the esophagus in a normal sequence but at an excessive amplitude or duration. Nutcracker esophagus is one of several motility disorders of the esophagus, including achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm.
The esophagus experiences abnormal contractions due to excessive muscle activity, leading to a condition known as nutcracker esophagus. This disorder is one of several motility disorders affecting the esophagus, including achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm.