CINEROENTGENOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS OF THE CRICOPHARYNGEUS

¹ From the Department of Radiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Canter, New York, New York

The posterior indentation of the barium column of the pharyngoesophageal junction, which can be observed in 4 to 5 per cent of cineroentgenographic examinations of this area, is produced by the cricopharyngeus muscle. Despite the frequent absence of definite associated symptoms, it is not a normal finding and probably represents reliable evidence of neuromuscular dysfunction of deglutition. This may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of Zenker's diverticula since configurations which may represent the transition from a cricopharyngeal impression to a diverticulum have been observed.

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