Does the hypopharyngeal cavernous body protect the development of Zenker's diverticulum?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the morphology of the cavernous body at the pharyngoesophageal segment.

METHODS

In 47 cadavers the submucosal vascular plexus of the pharyngoesophageal segment and the cricopharyngeal muscle were examined.

RESULTS

A vascular plexus which was macroscopically non visible or slightly identified was observed in the majority of the specimens (28 or 59.6%). Fourteen of the cadavers (29.8%) exhibited macroscopically lightly observable blood vessels which were covering a discontinuous area of the hypopharyngeal wall. In the other five specimens (10.6%) the vascular plexus was covering a large part of the dorsal wall of the pharyngoesophageal segment as a compact mass. The grade of dilation of the vascular plexus corresponded to the degree of protrusion of the cricopharyngeal muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of a persistent constricted cricopharyngeal muscle, the dilation of the hypopharyngeal cavernous body may protect from developing a Zenker's diverticulum by reinforcing the Killian's dehiscence.