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==Diaphragm==
==Diaphragm==
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The diaphragm is a musculotendinous structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Ii inserts on the thoracic wall in a curve from the 8th and 9th costal cartilages, across costochondral junctions of the 9th-15th ribs to the middle of the 18th rib; where it turns craniomedially to end at vertebral end of the last rib. The dome of the diaphragm bulges forward to 7th-8th intercostal space, thus is almost opposite the olecranon in the standing horse.
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There are three openings in the diaphragm as follows:
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*Aortic hiatus: Between the right and left crura, dorsal diaphragm. The aorta passes through this opening.
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*Oesophageal hiatus: Located in the right crus, the oesophagus passes through here.
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*Caval foramen: Located in the muscular centre of the diaphragm, the caudal vena cava passes through here.
[[Category:Horse Anatomy]]
[[Category:Horse Anatomy]]