The diaphragm is a thin dome-shaped muscle which separates the
thoracic cavity (lungs and heart) from the abdominal cavity
(intestines, stomach, liver, etc.). It is involved in respiration,
drawing downward in the chest on inhalation, and pushing upward in
exhalation.
Review Date: 05/21/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
