digestive disorders
Esophageal Pouches (Diverticula)
Zenker diverticula (pharyngeal diverticula)
A Zenker diverticulum is probably caused by an incoordination between movement of food out of the mouth and relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle ( Propulsion Disorders of the Throat ). This diverticulum can fill with food, which may be spit up (regurgitated) when the person bends over or lies down. This regurgitation may also cause food to be inhaled into the lungs during sleep, resulting in 