Killian's dehiscence


Killian's dehiscence is a triangular area in the wall of the pharynx between the cricopharyngeus and thyropharyngeus which are the two parts of the inferior constrictors. It can be seen as a locus minoris resistentiae.
A similar triangular area between circular fibres of the cricopharyngeus and longitudinal fibres of the esophagus is Lamier's 'triangle or Lamier-hackermann's area'.

Clinical significance

It represents a potentially weak spot where a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum is more likely to occur.

Eponym

It is named after the German ENT surgeon Gustav Killian.