THE CLINICAL ANATOMY OF THE DIAPHRAGM
THE
MYSTERY OF SOUND(TMS)
Seminar Written by Ukiri Prosper
May 18th TMS Seminar Material
Title: The clinical anatomy of the diaphragm
Introduction
The
diaphragm is a musculo-tendinous structure lying transversely between the
thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity.
It extends from the 7th to the 11th thoracic
vertebra(T7-T11).
Embryology
It develops from four structures in
fetal life. These are:
1.
Septum
transversum
2.
Mesenchyme
from the C3-C5 segments.
3.
Mesentery
of the oesophagus.
4.
Two
pleuroperitoneal membranes, embryonic sheets covering the primitive openings
between thorax and abdomen.
Structure
It is
domed-shaped in the living body. The diaphragm is composed of a central tendon
and peripherally arranged muscular fibers. The muscles form the crura of the
diaphragm. There are basically two crura, the right and the left crura, formed
from the mesentery of the oesophagus.
Piercing through the diaphragm are
three openings through which several structures pass. these openings are as follows:
1.
Opening
for the vena cava: this opening lies at the level of the T8 vertebra. It also
transmits the phrenic nerve. The opening lies most anteriorly (towards the
front) in the right dome of the diaphragm.
2.
Opening
for the oesophagus: this opening transmits the oesophagus. It also transmits
the vagus nerves.
3.
The
opening for the aorta: the aorta begins in the heart and descends all through
the thorax, pierces the diaphragm and enters the abdomen. The thoracic
lymphatic duct also accompanies the aorta through its diaphragmatic opening.
Blood
Supply
It is supplied by the right and left phrenic
arteries, musculophrenic arteries and drained by veins with corresponding
names.
Nerve
supply
It is supplied by the phrenic nerve (C3-C5). It is
believed that during embryonic life, the mesenchyme of the third to fifth
cervical segments gave rise to the muscular part and thus supplied by the nerve
components C3-C5.
Clinical
correlates
1.
Abnormal openings or foramina in the
diaphragm: this result from failure of the diaphragm to completely fuse leading
to persistence of other openings other than the 3 mentioned above.
2.
Paralysis of the diaphragm: Lesion of
the phrenic nerve either congenitally or traumatically can lead to loss of
action of the muscles of the diaphragm. This deformity is highly fatal and is
has a high incompatibility with life because it greatly hampers respiration.
Since the diaphragm is a primary muscle of respiration.
3.
Persistent opening can result in
movement of the abdominal content into the thoracic cavity.
References
Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 7th
ed- Moore et al
Atlas of Human
Anatomy, 6th ed- Frank H. Netter, MD
Langman’s
Medical Embryology, 12th ed- T.W Sadler
TMS Contact: themysteryofsound1@gmail.com
Elmond Isaiah
08067370005
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