A 70-year-old man presents with regurgitation of undigested food, halitosis, and a gurgling sensation in the neck. Barium swallow shows a posterior pharyngeal pouch. This pulsion diverticulum arises from Killian dehiscence, which is located between which two parts of the inferior constrictor muscle?
- A Superior constrictor and middle constrictor
- B Stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus
- C Thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus ✓
- D Cricopharyngeus and esophageal longitudinal muscle
Correct answer: C. Thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus
Explanation
Zenker diverticulum is a false diverticulum that herniates through Killian dehiscence, a weak area between the thyropharyngeus (oblique fibers) and cricopharyngeus (transverse fibers) components of the inferior constrictor muscle. Stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus are different pharyngeal muscles. The superior and middle constrictors are not involved in this dehiscence.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.