Title: Cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD) - Laryngopedia
Headings: Cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD)
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD)
Symptoms and treatment for cricopharyngeal dysfunction:
Photos:
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction, before and after myotomy: Series of 2  photos
Very high-pitched voice elicits the same pharynx contraction as swallowing: Series of 4  photos
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction, before and after myotomy: Series of 2  photos
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction, with incipient Zenker’s: Series of 1  photo
Reflux into hypopharynx, characteristic of cricopharyngeal dysfunction: Series of 3  photos
Cricopharyngeus non-relaxation and Zenker's sac seen during VESS: Series of 4  photos

Content: before myotomy (1 of 2)
Lateral x-ray of the neck while swallowing barium (the dark material seen here in the throat). The non-relaxing cricopharyngeus muscle (light-grey bulge outlined by … read more
a dotted line) is causing narrowing of the upper esophageal passageway, as highlighted by the narrowed stream of dark barium at that point (arrow). Liquids and very soft foods can squeak through this narrow opening, but solid foods tend to get stuck. read less
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction: after myotomy, resolved (1 of 2)
After myotomy. The surgically divided muscle can no longer narrow the upper esophageal passageway, as seen by the widened stream of dark barium at the level of the muscle (arrows). Cricopharyngeal dysfunction, with incipient Zenker’s: Series of 1  photo
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction, with incipient Zenker’s (1 of 1)
This patient with cricopharyngeal dysfunction is just beginning to form a Zenker’s pouch. Note that the cricopharyngeus muscle (light grey “thumb” at … read more
asterisk) is beginning to turn upwards and become more slender. The volume of barium below the dotted line is inside the incipient Zenker’s pouch.