diaphragm
Muscular systemThoraxFMA13295
Nomenclature
diaphragm
diaphragma (Latin)
diaframma (Italian)
Descriptionentry
Musculotendinous septum separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities; the principal muscle of inspiration.
Functionentry
Inspiration: its descent increases thoracic volume; participates in the abdominal press.
Originentry
Sternal part from the xiphoid process, costal part from the last six costal cartilages, lumbar part from the crura on L1-L3 and the arcuate ligaments.
Insertionentry
Central tendon.
Innervationentry
Phrenic nerve (C3-C5).
Blood supplyentry
Pericardiacophrenic, musculophrenic and inferior phrenic arteries.
Clinical notes
Traversed by the aorta (T12), oesophagus (T10) and inferior vena cava (T8); site of diaphragmatic hernias.
Part of
Related structures
Model