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Medical Word of the Day: Zenker Diverticulum

Zenker diverticulum: The most common type of outpouching in the esophagus, due to increased pressure causing the mucous membrane of the esophagus to herniate through a defect in the wall of esophagus. Zenker diverticuli are usually located in the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Small Zenker diverticuli may not cause symptoms but larger ones may collect food and obstruct the esophagus.

Named for the German physician and pathologist Friedrich Albert von Zenker (1825-1898). Also called hypopharyngeal diverticulum and pharyngoesophageal diverticulum.