Postcricoid region
The postcricoid region is a subsite of the hypopharynx, comprising the anterior wall. The area includes the mucosa, intramural fat, and a rich venous plexus .
Gross anatomy
Boundaries and/or relations
- anterior: posterior cricoarytenoid muscle of larynx
- posterior: lumen of hypopharynx
- superior: level of superior edge of the arytenoid cartilages
- inferior: level of inferior edge of the cricoid cartilage, continuing as esophageal inlet/verge
- lateral: pyriform sinuses
Venous drainage
A rich venous plexus in this region drains into superior laryngeal veins. It is more prominent in infants and engorges during crying, known as the "postcricoid cushion" on laryngoscopy, perhaps as protection against emesis .
Innervation
The sensory supply is the internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve .
Radiographic features
Barium swallow
Fluoroscopic swallow studies often demonstrate a ridge of tissue or plication in the postcricoid region, described as a "postcricoid impression", corresponding to the prominent venous plexus .
CT
The vast majority of normal postcricoid regions demonstrate intramural fat planes, more prominent on the left, which can be obliterated by disease such as tumor infiltration .
MRI
Intramural fat planes are also normally demonstrated .
Related pathology
