Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity (containing the lungs and heart) from the abdominal cavity (containing the digestive organs).
The diaphragm also serves as a muscle to help draw air into the lungs as a person breathes. It contracts to expand the lungs when breathing in (inhaling) and relaxes when breathing out (exhaling). If the diaphragm is not able to move as it should, breathing may become difficult.
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology |
| Last Updated | June 16, 2006 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
June 16, 2006
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