
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Zenker's diverticulum causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD) also known as pharyngosophageal diverticulum. It is an acquired sac-like outpouching of the mucosa and submucosa layers originating from the pharyngoesophageal junction. Killian’s dehiscence a pulsion of false diverticulum occurring dorsally at the pharyngoesophageal wall surrounded by the oblique inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and the transversal fibers of the cricopharyngeal muscle. ZD occurs due to increased intraluminal pressure in the oropharynx during swallowing, against an inadequate relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle. An incomplete opening of the Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) causing the protrusion of the mucosa through an area of relative weakness at the dorsal pharyngoesophageal wall. The pharyngoesophageal phase of swallowing is affected in ZD resulting in hindering the neuromuscular functions such as chewing, initiating the swallowing, and propulsion of the food from the oropharynx into the cervical esophagus.
Causes
Causes
ZD is caused by[1][2][3][4][5][5]
- Zenker’s diverticulum also known as pharyngosophageal diverticulum.
- It is an acquired sac-like outpouching of the mucosa and submucosa layers originating from the pharyngoesophageal junction.
- Since it involves only the mucosa and submucosa it is a false diverticulum.
- Killian’s dehiscence– pulsion false diverticulum occurring dorsally at the pharyngoesophageal wall bounded by the propulsive oblique inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and the transversal fibers of the cricopharyngeal muscle
- ZD occurs due to increased intraluminal pressure in the oropharynx during swallowing, against an inadequate relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle,
- A subsequent incomplete opening of the UES, causing the protrusion of the mucosa through an area of relative weakness at the dorsal pharyngoesophageal wall.
- ZD cause the disorder of the pharyngoesophageal phase of swallowing.
- The neuromuscular functions such as chewing, initiating the swallowing, and propulsion of the food from the oropharynx into the cervical esophagus.
References
References
- ↑ “Zenker’s diverticula: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and flexible endoscopic management. – PubMed – NCBI”.
- ↑ “Cause and treatment of epiphrenic diverticula. – PubMed – NCBI”.
- ↑ “Zenker’s diverticulum: exploring treatment options. – PubMed – NCBI”.
- ↑ “Zenker’s diverticulum. – PubMed – NCBI”.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 “[The physiopathological basis for Zenker’s diverticulum]. – PubMed – NCBI”.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ajay Gade MD[2]]
