Editing Diaphragm (section)

== '''Openings:''' ==

* '''Vena caval     foramen''' ('''T8''', just to the right of     midline, behind the sixth right costal cartilage, between middle and right     leaves of the central tendon)
** IVC
** Right phrenic nerve
* '''Oesophageal     opening''' ('''T10''', usually 2.5cm to left of     midline, adjacent to the posterior border of the central tendon, formed in     the fibres of the right crus, although can be either crus)
** The tissue which forms the      inferior margin of the oesophageal hiatus also forms the median arcuate      ligament across the front of the aorta. This inferior aspect does hold      sutures well, but may pick up part of the coeliac plexus.
** Contents
*** Oesophagus
*** Vagal trunks
*** Oesophageal branches of       left gastric artery, veins and lymphatics
** Technically we should say      'left pillar' and 'right pillar' for the pillars on either side, not      'left and right crus', since it is all 'right crus' in most people
* '''Aortic     opening''' ('''T12''', in the midline, behind the     median arcuate ligament, between the two crura)
** Aorta
** Azygos vein to right
** Thoracic duct leading up      from the cisterna chyli in between them
* '''Other     openings:'''
** Behind medial and lateral      arcuate ligaments
** Sternocostal foramina
* '''Other     structures piercing the diaphragm'''
** Left phrenic nerve through      the left dome
** Hemiazygos vein through the      left crus
** Splanchnic nerves through      each crus
** Sympathetic trunk behind the      medial arcuate ligament
** Subcostal nerve and vessels      behind the lateral arcuate ligament
** Superior epigastric vessels      between xiphisternal and costal fibres of the diaphragm