Question

What is the vertebral level of the dome of the diaphragm? Attach File Browse My Computer

Answer 1

The diaphragm is a C-shaped structure, made up of muscles and fibrous tissues. It separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen- in fact, it forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and roof of the abdominal cavity. It is attached to a number of bony structures to keep itself in place, like, anteriorly it is attached to the xiphoid process and costal margin, laterally to the 11th and 12th ribs and posteriorly to the lumbar vertebrae, L1 and L2.

As a dome, the diaphragm has peripheral attachments to structures that make the abdominal and chest walls. The muscle fibers from these attachments converge in a central tendon, which forms the crest of the dome. Its peripheral part consists of muscular fibers that take origin from the circumference of the inferior thoracic aperture and converge to be inserted into a central tendon. Thus, the vertebral level of the dome of diaphragm is approximately upto the T12 vertebra.