Cricopharyngeal function and dysfunction.

The cricopharyngeus is a narrow band of muscle strategically placed between the pharynx and esophagus. Its normal function is vital to the efficient transfer of foodstuffs to the esophagus. Cine- and videoradiography are the major methods of studying the pharyngo-esophageal segment. More recently, refinements in manometric methods have complemented radiology, and have enabled us to achieve a better understanding of cricopharyngeal function in health and disease. Such an understanding of the physical forces necessary for normal bolus transfer, and the recognition of abnormal patterns of pharyngeal and cricopharyngeal motility, will hopefully lead us to a more rational approach to therapy in patients with pharyngeal dysphagia.