What is Zenkers diverticulum?
A Zenker s diverticulum is an outpouching of the cervical esophagus that is formed through a weakness in the muscular wall of this portion of the swallowing tract. These diverticula are believed, in many cases, to result from overactivity of the band of muscle fibers otherwise known as the upper esophageal sphincter (referred to as the cricopharyngeus), which can bind tight to constrict the esophagus. As a result of the abnormal function of that muscle, patients are forced to swallow with greater pressure to overcome a tighter sphincter, and this forced swallowing leads to what is referred to as a pulsion diverticulum. With an outpouching in this area, food preferentially goes into the diverticulum rather than the esophagus.
