Thediaphragmis a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.
Function
The diaphragm plays an integral role in respiration (breathing).
Most of the time, the diaphragm moves involuntarily.
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When the diaphragm relaxes, your chest cavity becomes smaller and your lungs release air.
Your diaphragm contracts rhythmically and involuntarily (such as during sleep) due to signals from your brain.
It is asymmetric, as its right dome is larger than the left dome.
The diaphragm muscle at the bottom of the rib cage.sciencepics
The diaphragm has openings that allow certain structures to span the chest and abdominal cavities.
How Many Muscles Make Up the Diaphragm?
Both play a role in how the lower rib cage expands during breathing.
Location
Your diaphragm body part spans from the front to the back.
It is the floor of the thoracic cavity and the ceiling of the abdominal cavity.
Many body organs are near the diaphragm.
Your lower esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, andkidneysare below the diaphragm, in your abdominal cavity.
Structure
The diaphragm is primarily composed of muscle and fibrous tissue.
The central tendon is a large part of the diaphragm that anchors the diaphragm to the ribs.
Anatomical Variations
A healthy person can have some minor variations in the diaphragm’s anatomy.
For example, the left or right side may be slightly higher or lower without affecting physical functions.
Conditions Affecting the Diaphragm
There are several medical conditions that involve the thoracic diaphragm.
The sound of hiccups is produced when air is exhaled at the same time that the diaphragm contracts.
Generally, hiccups tend to resolve on their own, but there aretreatmentsfor persistent cases.
This defect can cause heartburn, indigestion, and nausea.
Surgery may be performed either through an open orlaparoscopic procedure.
Diaphragmatic Hernias
Diaphragmatic herniasare structural defects that allow abdominal organs to enter the chest cavity.
They may be present from birth, or, less commonly, can result from trauma.
What Happens if the Diaphragm Is Damaged?
Injuries can be life-threatening and typically involve more than one organ.
This happens through a progressive process that involves a number of contributing factors.
COPD results inhyperinflated lungsthat physically push on the diaphragm.
The whole muscle becomes flattened and its mobility declines.
The result of COPD-induced diaphragmatic weakness is worseningshortness of breath.
Treatment of COPDcan help slow down the damage to the diaphragm.
If oxygen levels are affected, treatment withsupplemental oxygenmay be necessary.
And COPD-associated diaphragmatic problems may be assessed with breathing tests likespirometryorpulmonary function tests.
Summary
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.
Diaphramic functioning can be affected by injury or disease.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have diaphragm pain.
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