What is Your Diaphragm?
And nope, I’m not talking about the contraceptive diaphragm 😉
This one is a muscle. Located at the base of the ribcage, separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. Ever heard of it?
If you have, big applause, and if you haven’t, that's okay because we are about to dabble into everything you need to know about this wonderous muscle.
The diaphragm is our main muscle for respiration (breathing!)
Attachments:
It attaches into our lower 6 ribs, bottom of our sternum and top 3 lumbar vertebrae. The thoracic portion (top part) is in contact with the membranes of the heart and lungs, the abdominal portion (bottom part) is in direct contact with the liver, stomach and spleen.
Function:
When we inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating more space in the chest cavity for the lungs to expand. This allows air to enter the lungs, oxygenating our bodies. On the other hand, when we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, helping to expel carbon dioxide from the lungs.
Fun facts:
Activated by the phrenic nerve which originates from the cervical C3-5 nerves (exiting from your neck). Thus, proper neck function is crucial for diaphragm activation.
It has no sensory receptors, so you don't “feel” the diaphragm moving, but you can use cues, like belly movement, as a clear indicator for activation.
The diaphragm is the only muscle that crosses our body’s midline.
By understanding the anatomy and function of the diaphragm and incorporating diaphragmatic breathing into our daily lives can have profound effects on our physical and mental well-being.
Now that is the basics and next week we dive into ‘The Impact of Chest Breathing on Anxiety’.
Mads x