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Diaphragm
Region: Abdominal & Pelvic Muscles · All abdominal & pelvic muscles
Diaphragm at a glance
| Origin | Xiphoid process, lower six costal cartilages and ribs, and the L1–L3 vertebrae (crura) |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Central tendon |
| Actions | Main muscle of breathing in — flattens and descends, drawing air into the lungs; Raises abdominal pressure for coughing and straining |
| Nerve supply | Phrenic nerve (C3–C5) |
◆ Good to know
Supplied by C3, C4 and C5 ('3, 4, 5 keep the diaphragm alive'); irritation of it causes hiccups, and pain beneath it can be felt at the shoulder tip.
More Abdominal & Pelvic Muscles
Please note: This page is an anatomy education summary for students and curious readers, not medical advice. Attachment points are given in their classic short form; individual anatomy varies, and detailed dissection-level descriptions belong in an anatomy atlas.