In anatomy,<unk> , also pharyngoesophageal<unk> , also pharyngeal pouch, is a<unk>  of the mucosa of the pharynx, just above the cricopharyngeal muscle (i.e. above the upper sphincter of the esophagus). It is a false<unk>  (not involving all layers of the esophageal wall). The first description of<unk>  dates back to 1769 by Ludlow. It was named in 1877 by German pathologist Friedrich Albert von<unk> . Esophageal diverticula are classified on the basis of  location into three types: phrenoesophageal<unk> -70%)<unk> , epiphrenic (20%), thoracic and mediastinal (10%).<unk>  is thought to be due to the result of motor abnormalities of the esophagus. The defect over the Killian's triangle, a point of weakness in the muscular wall of the hypopharynx results in<unk> . Killian's triangle leads to an evagination of the sphincter, which may be because of the high pressures in the food bolus in the course of swallowing and the abnormalities of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). This failure to achieve adequate diameter for effective bolus clearance leads to a subsequent increase in the hypopharyngeal pressure gradient. As the<unk>  enlarges, it may compress the pharyngoesophageal segment as well as increased stiffness and the intrabolus pressure. The risk factors of the<unk>  include people in their seventh and eight decades, male, GERD, pre-existing hiatal hernia, esophageal motility disorder, esophagitis, neurological disorders like a stroke. Symptoms of<unk>  slowly start as a oropharyngeal dysphagia progressing from solids to liquids, Regurgitation of undigested food from the diverticular sac, Pharyngeal stasis of secretions, Chronic aspiration, Halitosis, Chronic cough, sensation of a lump in the throat, Hoarseness, Cervical borborygmi. Aspiration pneumonia, Bleeding of the<unk> , Ulceration of the<unk> , compression of the trachea and esophageal obstruction with large diverticula, very rarely Squamous cell carcinoma of the<unk> , Perforation of the<unk>  during the endoscopy and hence scopes with side viewing should be used to prevent perforation. While it may be asymptomatic,<unk><unk>  often causes clinical manifestations such as dysphagia, globus sensation, regurgitation, cough, halitosis, and odynophagia. An x-ray (barium esophagogram) is the best initial imaging study in a patient suspected with<unk> . Findings on an x-ray (barium esophagogram) suggestive of esophageal<unk>  associated with<unk>  appear as thin projections on the anterior esophageal wall over the Killian's triangle. No medical treatment is currently known or practiced for symptomatic<unk><unk> . Surgery is the most definitive therapy for the<unk> . If small and asymptomatic, no treatment is necessary. Larger, symptomatic cases of<unk>  have been traditionally treated by neck surgery to resect the<unk>  and incise the cricopharyngeus muscle. However, in recent times non-surgical endoscopic techniques have gained more importance, and the currently preferred treatment is the endoscopic stapling i.e. closing of the<unk>  via a stapler inserted through a tube in the mouth. This may be performed through a fiberoptic endoscope. Other non-surgical treatment modalities exist, such as endoscopic laser, which recent evidence suggests is less effective than stapling.
Zenker's diverticulum
Barrett's esophagus
Gastric diverticulum
Nutcracker esophagus
CMV esophagitis
Duodenal diverticulum
Candida esophagitis
Hunner's ulcer