Killian's dehiscence is a potential weak area in the pharyngeal wall through which a Zenker's diverticulum protrudes. Between which two muscles does this dehiscence occur?

• A Between middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictors
• B Between the inferior constrictor and esophageal muscle
• C Between the stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus
• D Between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor ✓

Explanation

Killian's dehiscence (Killian's triangle) is the anatomical weak area between the oblique fibers of the thyropharyngeus (upper) and the horizontal fibers of the cricopharyngeus (lower), both being parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor. This point of muscular weakness along the posterior midline of the pharynx is where Zenker's (pharyngeal) diverticulum herniates posteriorly, typically presenting with dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, and halitosis. Surgical treatment involves myotomy of cricopharyngeus.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.