origin

Last reviewed 01/2018

The origin of the diaphragm refers to the tendinous sites from which the muscle arises inferiorly:

• the anterior sternal attachments: 2 short slips joined to the posterior surface of the xiphoid process and passing back posteriorly
• the anterolateral costal attachments: from the lower six costal cartilages. Anteriorly, the muscle fibres interdigitate with those of transversus abdominis.
• crural attachments
• arcuate ligament attachments