Correlative Anatomy of the Diaphragm

The diaphragm acts as a partition between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. On computed tomography, it is seen as a curved soft-tissue density with fat below and aerated lung above. The direct multiplanar capability of magnetic resonance technology can improve depiction of normal or abnormal diaphragmatic anatomy. Despite the usefulness of these imaging modalities, adequate visualization of the diaphragm can be difficult. Thoracic surgeons must be familiar with the correlative anatomy of the diaphragm because this knowledge is a prerequisite to making an accurate diagnosis of diaphragmatic abnormalities.