Dysphagia Due to Hypertrophy of the Cricopharyngeus Muscle or Hypopharyngeal Bar

ACCORDING to Templeton and Kredel,1 "The ericopharyngeus muscle is a true sphincter which can be easily demonstrated at Roentgenologic examination. When the Valsalva test is performed, the contraction of the ericopharyngeus is intensified."Brunner2 gives the following description:The purpose of the tonic contraction of the cricopharyngeal sphincter is to prevent oesophageal respiration and to ensure that sufficient air enters the lungs. A relaxation of the cricopharyngeal sphincter would cause the air to be sucked more readily into the oesophagus than into the lungs... the mound at the posterior wall of the hypopharynx may be called the "hypopharyngeal bar," and . . .