Diaphragm

The diaphragm is one of the most important organs in the human body and performs many functions. It separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and maintains intra-abdominal pressure.

In anatomy, the diaphragm is designated by the Latin letters diaphragma (pna), bna (bony nasal aperture) and jna (jaw), as well as by Greek letters (διαφραγμα, πνευμονα, βονυϊσχος, γλωσσα).

The diaphragm is made up of muscles that form the dome of the chest. It has two surfaces: front and back, as well as four edges: top, right and left, bottom.

The anterior surface of the diaphragm has three openings: the esophageal, the aortic, and the opening for the inferior vena cava.

The posterior surface of the diaphragm contains openings for the left and right venous sinuses and the left and right lymph nodes.

The diaphragm muscles are innervated by the phrenic nerve, which originates from the thoracic spinal cord. They are also supplied with blood through the phrenic artery.

Aperture functions:

Maintains intra-abdominal pressure;
Regulates breathing;
Participates in the formation of voice;
Ensures the movement of food through the esophagus;
Protects the abdominal organs from external influences.

Diseases of the diaphragm can lead to various problems such as hiatal hernia, diaphragm pneumonia, abdominal hernia, diaphragmatic spasm and others. Therefore, it is important to monitor the condition of the diaphragm and promptly consult a doctor if symptoms of the disease occur.

**The diaphragm** is a muscular septum that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and is involved in inhalation/exhalation in mammals and other vertebrates. With sharp contractions of the diaphragm, the abdominal cavity contracts, the lungs expand, which leads to inhalation. During slow diaphragmatic breathing, only a small volume of air is passed through the diaphragm, giving the feeling of incomplete ventilation of the lungs, but sufficient to release carbon dioxide when exhaling. Therefore, in healthy people, a full inhalation can be achieved by pressing on the middle part of the chest below