Aphagia is a condition where a person is unable to swallow. It can be caused by several medical conditions including neurological disorders, cancer and traumatic injuries. Despite the seriousness of the condition, there are a few synonyms which can be used to describe it. Some of these include dysphagia, esophageal obstruction, and alimentary dystrophy. Dysphagia is a more common term used to describe difficulty or inability to swallow food or liquids. Esophageal obstruction refers to the blockage of the foodpipe or esophagus, while alimentary dystrophy is a general term referring to the loss of appetite or malnutrition due to inability to swallow food.