Corpus: Killian's triangle

The Killian's triangle is a triangular, muscle-weak or largely muscle-free area in the transition region from the hypopharynx to the oesophageal musculature. This area can be a predilection site for Zenker's diverticula.

There are two different terminologies. Some authors refer to the area between the oblique pars obliqua and the upper edge of the horizontal pars fundiformis of the cricopharyngeus muscle as the Killian triangle. In contrast to the rest of the pharynx, the muscle layer here has only sparse muscle fibres. This site is the predilection site for the occurrence of a Zenker's diverticulum. The triangle is located at the level of the cricothyroid articulation and is also considered to be the entry point of the inferior laryngeal nerve into the pharynx.

Other authors (e.g. Benninghoff) refer to the Laimer's triangle (first described) as Killian's triangle, while the area described above as Killian's triangle is not given an independent name.

• Nature.com - Upper esophageal sphincter and upper esophageal musculature, retrieved on 04/01/2023
• Anderhuber et al, Waldeyer - Human anatomy: Textbook and Atlas in one volume (De Gruyter Studium) (19th totaly rev. ed.), De Gruyter, 2012