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Diaphragm - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:55, 13 August 2008
, 13:55, 13 August 2008no edit summary
The Diaphragm is a dome-shaped musculotendinous sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is convex on it's cranial surface.
The Diaphragm is a dome-shaped musculotendinous sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is convex on it's cranial surface.
In the neutral position between full [[Anatomy & Physiology#Inspiration|inspiration]] and full [[Anatomy & Physiology#Expiration|expiration]], the most cranial part of the Diaphragm is in line with the 6th Rib.
==Structure==
==Structure==
*The Muscular part of the diaphragm is peripheral, surrounding the central Tendinous area.
*The muscular part has sections which arise from the
**Xiphoid Process of the [[Ribs and Sternum - Anatomy & Physiology|Sternum]]
**[[Spinal Column - Anatomy & Physiology|Vertebral Column]]
**Caudal [[Ribs and Sternum - Anatomy & Physiology|Ribs]].
*
*
**
***
==Openings within the Diaphragm==
*The Diaphragm has three openings:
**'''Aortic Hiatus''' - the most Dorsal opening, contains the Aorta, Azygous Vein and Thoracic Duct.
**'''Oesophageal Hiatus''' - contains the oesophagus, dorsal and ventral Vagal trunks.
**'''Caval Foramen''' - lies within the central tendoninous region of the diaphragm, and contains the Caudal Vena Cava. This opening does not allow movement;the diaphragm is fused with the vessel wall.
==Function==
==Function==
During [[Anatomy & Physiology#Inspiration|Inspiration]], the diaphragm contracts to increase the volume of the thoracic cavity, decreasing it's pressure, thus drawing air in.
The Diaphragm relaxes for [[Anatomy & Physiology#Expiration|Expiration]].
==Vasculature==
==Vasculature==
==Innervation==
==Innervation==
*
* The Diaphragm is supplied by the Phrenic Nerve.
==Species Differences==
==Species Differences==
*
*Because of the shorter thorax, the diaphragm is steeper in the '''ruminant''' compared to the '''horse'''.
*'''Avian''' species do not possess a diaphragm. Air moves in and out of their lungs via [[Avian Respiration - Anatomy & Physiology#Air Sacs|Air Sacs]].
==Links==
==Links==
==References==
*{{citation|initiallast = Dyce|initialfirst = K.M|2last = Sack|2first = W.O|finallast = Wensing|finalfirst = C.J.G|year = 2002|title = Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy|ed =3rd|city = Philadelphia|pub = Saunders}}