anatomy of the diaphragm

The anatomy of the diaphragm - The diaphragm is attached to the spine, the lower pairs of ribs, and the lower end of the sternum (breastbone). Its muscle fibres converge on the central tendon, which is a thick, flat plate of dense fibres.

There are openings in the diaphragm for the oesophagus, the phrenic nerve (which controls diaphragm movements and hence breathing), and the aorta and vena cava (the body’s main blood vessels).