Cricopharyngeal Myotomy
Encyclopedia
Cricopharyngeal myotomy is a surgical sectioning of the cricopharyngeus muscle, also known as the upper esophageal sphincter
, that has been advocated for the treatment of cricopharyngeal spasm
, or cricopharyngeal achalasia, that leads to cervical dysphagia in the clinical setting.
Upper esophageal sphincter
The upper esophageal sphincter refers to the superior portion of the esophagus.Unlike the lower esophageal sphincter, it consists of striated muscle and yet, is not under conscious control. Opening of the UES is triggered by the swallow reflex...
, that has been advocated for the treatment of cricopharyngeal spasm
Cricopharyngeal Spasm
Cricopharyngeal spasms occur in the cricopharyngeus muscle of the pharynx. These spasms are frequently misunderstood by the patient to be cancer due to the 'lump in the throat' feeling that is symptomatic of this syndrome. In practice, real lumps in the throat, such as a cancer, are generally not...
, or cricopharyngeal achalasia, that leads to cervical dysphagia in the clinical setting.