Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy
Published on: January 30, 2014
Structural abnormalities of the cricopharyngeus muscle in patients with pharyngeal (Zenker's) diverticulum
I J Cook1, P Blumbergs, K Cash
1Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Abstract:
Recent manometric and radiological studies suggest that the upper oesophageal sphincter has poor compliance in patients with a pharyngeal (Zenker's) diverticulum. To test the hypothesis that this phenomenon is related to structural changes within the cricopharyngeus muscle we examined, histologically, muscle strips from 14 patients with a Zenker's diverticulum and compared them with control tissue obtained at autopsy from 10 non-dysphagic individuals. The cricopharyngeus muscle from patients and controls differed from inferior constrictor muscle by virtue of type 1 fibre predominance and greater fibre size variability. Ragged red fibres and nemaline bodies are a normal finding in the cricopharyngeus. Marked differences were observed in the cricopharyngeus muscle of Zenker's patients which demonstrated fibro-adipose tissue replacement and fibre degeneration. It is concluded that these structural changes may account for the observed diminished upper oesophageal sphincter opening and dysphagia in patients with Zenker's diverticulum.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Esophageal Achalasia
Hiatal Hernia
Pyloric Obstruction
Diverticular Disease of the Colon

