The following table summarizes the Location, shape, and vertebral level of three major openings of the diaphragm.
Opening | Location | Shape | Vertebral level |
Vena caval opening | In the central tendon slightly to the right of median plane between the central and right posterior leaflets | Quadrangular or square | T8 (body) |
Esophageal opening | Slightly to the left of median plane (The fibres of right crus split around the opening and act like pinch cock) | Oval or elliptical | T10 (body) |
Aortic opening | In the midline behind the median arcuate ligament | Circular or round | T12 (lower border of the body |
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