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