Lateral diverticula from the pharyngo-esophageal junction area

Conventional single-radiograph technique and cineradiography were used for examination of the pharyngo-esophageal junction area during contrast medium swallowing in 500 patients with dysphagia and in 150 volunteers with no swallowing complaints. Seventeen pharyngoesophageal diverticula were found, emerging in the lateral or latero-anterior direction just below the cricopharyngeal muscle indentation. Of these, 13 had wide openings and seven had narrow openings; these forms differed in shape and in retention of contrast material during the swallowing cycle. The delineation and discrimination of the type and behavior of the diverticula were more accurately done on the cineradiographs than on the single radiographs. Five freshly obtained specimens of the pharynx and esophagus were also dissected; a weak triangular area was found located caudally to the cricopharyngeal muscle (transverse portion) in the lateral and anterior aspect of the pharyngo-esophageal junction area.