Question:

The most common site of origin of the pharyngeal diverticulum seen in the barium swallow shown below is:

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This pharyngeal pouch herniates through Killian's dehiscence: recall which two muscle fibres border that gap.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Between stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus
  • Between middle and inferior constrictor
  • Between inferior constrictor and esophagus
  • Between thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The barium swallow shows a posterior outpouching of the hypopharynx, which is Zenker's diverticulum, a pulsion (false) diverticulum.
Step 2: Zenker's diverticulum herniates through Killian's dehiscence, the weak area in the posterior pharyngeal wall between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus parts of the inferior constrictor. So option D is correct.
Step 3: It is seen in elderly patients and presents with dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, halitosis and a risk of aspiration and pneumonia. Management is endoscopic or surgical. The other anatomical gaps listed are not the site of Killian's dehiscence. Ref: Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology, Vol 3, p.746.
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