General information
The diaphragm is the most important respiratory muscle and separates the chest from the abdomen.
Arterial supply
The arterial supply (vascular supply of the diaphragm) is complex and takes place via four different branches, which are strongly branching. These are firstly the upper diaphragmatic arteries (Arteriae phrenicae superiores), the diaphragmatic pericardial artery (Arteria pericardiacophrenica) and the diaphragmatic muscle artery (Arteria musculophrenica), all of which originate from the thoracic aorta. Further arterial supply is provided by the lower diaphragmatic arteries (Arteriae phrenicae inferiores), which originate from the abdominal aorta (Aorta abdominalis) (vascular supply diaphragm).
The venous outflow is via veins of the same name into the superior vena cava. Only the lower diaphragmatic veins (inferior phrenic veins) open into the inferior vena cava (vena cava inferior) (vascular supply to the diaphragm).
