Zenker's diverticulum

In anatomy, Zenker's diverticulum is a diverticulum of the mucous membrane of the oesophagus through a defect in the wall of oesophagus. It was named by Friedrich Albert von Zenker.

The location of this diverticulum is the junction between the esophagus and the pharynx. Seen in older adults.

Zenker's Diverticulum -ballooned portion of the esophagus

-A bulging out of the esophageal wall.

-traction- adhesion forms between wall and something else

-wound contraction can pull esophagus

-pulsion- occurs in area of weakness -pressure within esophagus causes area to push out

-ZD- pulsion- occurs at junction of pharynx and esophagus -can fill up with food, pain, predisposition to cancer -can obstruct another part of esophagus

-Likely to cause Odynophagia (pain on swallowing) -A similar abnormality occurs in the intestines, but tends to be multiple. -Zenker's Diverticulum is solitary.