Killian's dehiscence (Killian's triangle) is a muscular gap in the pharyngeal wall through which a pharyngeal pouch (Zenker's diverticulum) herniates. It is located between which two muscle components?

• A Superior and middle constrictors of the pharynx
• B Cricopharyngeus and the inferior oblique fibres of the inferior constrictor (thyropharyngeus) ✓
• C Thyrohyoid membrane and superior constrictor
• D Middle constrictor and longitudinal fibres of the pharynx

Explanation

Killian's dehiscence is the triangular weak zone in the posterior pharyngeal wall between the oblique inferior constrictor fibres (thyropharyngeus) superiorly and the horizontal cricopharyngeus fibres inferiorly. Increased hypopharyngeal pressure (often from cricopharyngeal dysfunction) causes a pulsion diverticulum to herniate through this gap posteriorly and then to the left side. Zenker's diverticulum is a false diverticulum (mucosa only) through this dehiscence and is the most common acquired oesophageal diverticulum.

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

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.