What describes a true diverticulum?

A true diverticulum is characterized by the protrusion of all three layers of the esophageal wall, which include the mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis layers. This type of diverticulum forms when there is a weakness in the wall of the esophagus that allows these layers to bulge outward. The presence of all three layers is what distinguishes a true diverticulum from a false diverticulum, which may involve only the mucosa and possibly some submucosal tissue but does not encapsulate all layers of the wall.

Understanding this definition is significant in clinical contexts, as true diverticula can be associated with specific conditions and may require different management compared to false diverticula. In contrast, protrusions involving only muscle or connective tissue do not represent a true diverticulum as they lack the complete structure of the esophageal wall layers.