Zenker's diverticulum overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Overview
In anatomy, Zenker's diverticulum, also pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, also pharyngeal pouch, is a diverticulum of the mucosa of the pharynx, just above the cricopharyngeal muscle (i.e. above the upper sphincter of the esophagus). It is a false diverticulum (not involving all layers of the esophageal wall).
Historical Perspective
he first description of Zenker's diverticulum dates back to 1769 by Ludlow.
Classification
Esophageal diverticula are classified on the basis of location into three types[1][2][3] Almost all esophageal diverticula are acquired pulsion diverticula. 1. Phrenoesophageal (Zenker's diverticulum-70%) ZD is a defect over the Killian's triangle, a point of weakness in the muscular wall of the hypopharynx 2. Epiphrenic (20%) Epipephric diverticula result either from hypertonia of the lower esophageal sphincter (esophageal achalasia) 3. Thoracic and mediastinal (10%) Thoracic diverticula are probably more often of a congenital than traction origin.