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.