Anatomy · Thorax

Diaphragm: attachments, openings, nerve supply and applied anatomy

8 min read

Diaphragm: dome-shaped musculofibrous sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities (thoraco-abdominal diaphragm).
- Principal muscle of respiration, with a peripheral muscular part and a central fibrous central tendon.

Origin (Attachments)

Origin of the diaphragm

Part	Origin
Sternal	Two fleshy slips from the posterior surface of the xiphoid process
Costal	Six fleshy slips from the inner surface of the lower six ribs, near their costal cartilages
Vertebral	Right and left crura, and five arcuate ligaments (median, medial, lateral)

Part

Sternal

Origin: Two fleshy slips from the posterior surface of the xiphoid process

Costal

Origin: Six fleshy slips from the inner surface of the lower six ribs, near their costal cartilages

Vertebral

Origin: Right and left crura, and five arcuate ligaments (median, medial, lateral)