Session 1.1h- TeachMeAnatomy - Diaphragm Flashcards
https://teachmeanatomy.info/thorax/muscles/diaphragm/
What is the diaphragm?
A double-domed sheet of skeletal muscle
What type of muscle is the diaphragm?
Skeletal muscle
Where is the diaphragm located?
At the inferior-most aspect of the rib cage.
What are the functions of the diaphragm?
It serves two main functions:
- separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity (Greek = ‘partition’)
- undergoes contraction and relaxation, altering the volume of the thoracic cavity and the lungs, producing inspiration and expiration.
The diaphragm separates which structures?
The thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity
What does diaphragm mean?
The word diaphragm is derived from the Greek ‘diáphragma’, meaning partition
The diaphragm undergoes contraction and relaxation to do what?
Alter the volume of the thoracic cavity and the lungs
The diaphragm alters the volume of the thoracic cavity and lungs how?
By undergoing contraction and relaxation
The diaphragm undergoes contraction and relaxation, altering the volume of the thoracic cavity and the lungs, producing what?
Inspiration and expiration
What does the diaphragm fill?
The INFERIOR THORACIC APERTURE
What does the diaphragm act as borders for?
It acts as the floor of the thoracic cavity and the roof the abdominal cavity.
How can the attachments of diaphragm be divided?
Into PERIPHERAL and CENTRAL ATTACHMENTS.
Describe the diaphragm’s peripheral attachments.
It has three:
- lumbar vertebrae and arcuate ligaments
- costal cartilages of ribs 7-10 (attach directly to ribs 11-12)
- xiphoid process of the sternum
The parts of the diaphragm that arise from the vertebrae are ________ in structure
tendinous
The parts of the diaphragm that arise from the vertebrae are known as ___?
The RIGHT AND LEFT CRURA
Where does the right crus arise from?
L1-L3 and their intervertebral discs.
What do some fibres from the right crus surround?
The oesophageal opening
What is the function of the right crus surrounding the oesophageal opening?
It acts as a physiological sphincter to prevent reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus.
The right crus acts as what sort of muscle when it surrounds the oesophageal opening?
A physiological sphincter
What does the right crus reflux of?
Gastric contents
The right crus prevents reflux of gastric contents where?
Into the oesophagus.
Where does the left crus arise from?
L1-L2 and their intervertebral discs.
The muscle fibres of the diaphragm combine to form what?
A CENTRAL TENDON
The central tendon of the diaphragm ascends to do what?
This tendon ascends to fuse with the inferior surface of the fibrous pericardium.
What happens to the diaphragm at the level of the pericardium?
Either side of the pericardium, the diaphragm ascends to form left and right DOMES.
Which dome of the diaphragm lies higher?
At rest, the right dome lies slightly higher than the left.
Why does one dome of the diaphragm lie higher than the other?
At rest, the right dome lies slightly higher than the left - this is thought to be due to the presence of the liver.
What is the significance of the diaphragm dividing the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
Any structures that pass between the two cavities will pierce the diaphragm.
What are the openings in the diaphragm?
There are three openings that act as conduit for various structures:
- Caval Hiatus (T8)
- Oesophageal Hiatus (T10)
- Aortic Hiatus (T12)
At what vertebral level is the caval hiatus?
T8
What opening of the diaphragm is at T8?
Caval hiatus
The caval hiatus is a conduit for which structures?
- Inferior vena cava
- Terminal branches of right phrenic nerve
The inferior vena cava and terminal branches of right phrenic nerve pass through the diaphragm where?
Caval hiatus
At what vertebral level is the oesophageal hiatus?
T10
What opening of the diaphragm is at T10?
Oesophageal hiatus