What causes esophageal diverticula?

What causes esophageal diverticula?

While the first case of an esophageal diverticulum was reported nearly 250 years ago, little is still known about this condition. It is believed that the internal pressure produced by the esophagus to move food into the stomach can herniate the esophageal lining through a weakened wall, creating a pouch or a diverticulum. There is usually distal end obstruction.

Esophageal diverticula are more common in people who have motility disorders of the esophagus, such as achalasia, that cause difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation of food, and, in some people, a spasm-type pain.