Esophageal pouches (diverticula)

[Dave Paprocki]

Esophageal diverticula are abnormal pouches or pockets in the esophagus. Rarely, they cause swallowing difficulties and regurgitation (the spitting up of food without nausea or forceful contractions of abdominal muscles).

The cause depends on the type of diverticula.
Symptoms include spitting up of food and difficulty swallowing.
The diagnosis is based on the results of barium swallow x-rays and often upper endoscopy.
When needed, treatment includes surgery.

The esophagus is the hollow tube that leads from the throat (pharynx) to the stomach. (See also Overview of the Esophagus.)
There are several types of esophageal diverticula. Each has a different cause, but probably all are related to uncoordinated swallowing and muscle relaxation. Many of these diverticula are associated with motility disorders of the esophagus, such as esophageal spasm and achalasia.