𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮
Today we present the fourth lesson of medicine, written by Professor Gaeta. Enjoy the reading!
"There are some openings in the diaphragm that allow different structures to pass from the thorax to the abdomen or vice versa.
The 3 main orifices that we take into consideration are the inferior vena cava and the aortic hiatus that we have already described in the previous post and the esophageal hiatus that we are now about to explain, inviting you to follow the explanation by carefully observing the corresponding figure.
The 2 tendinous pillars that were inserted on the right and left sides of the lumbar spine had already crossed each other for the first time, delimiting with the spine itself the osteotendinous hiatus called aortic hiatus which we have seen is very little deformable.
The 2 pillars, just after crossing, diverge, rising up the posterior side of the diaphragmatic dome and enriching themselves with muscle fibres to cross again immediately after a second time.
In practice, the 2 crossings form a sort of figure 8 and delimit 2 orifices or hiatus: a posterior inferior hiatus called the aortic hiatus and an antero superior hiatus called the esophageal hiatus which constitutes the opening through which the esophagus and the vagus nerves pass from the thorax to the abdomen.
The esophagus as it passes through this hiatus shows a clearly visible narrowing in its diameter.
Once past the diaphragm and therefore already inside the abdominal cavity, it ends immediately afterwards with the cardia or lower esophageal sphincter.
This small anatomical region that we are describing, consisting of the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm, the diaphragmatic narrowing of the esophagus, the cardia, a portion of the fundus of the stomach that immediately follows the cardia, is that area that, over the years, can undergo anatomical-functional modifications that configure the pathological picture that goes under the name of hiatal hernia.
In addition, the diaphragm and abdominal muscles prevent and improve back pain, slipping of the vertebrae and lumbar lordosis.
So let's learn to breathe with the diaphragm:
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Lie on your back, with your belly facing up, and focus your attention on your belly.
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To feel the diaphragm, place one hand on your belly and one on your chest, and start breathing. The goal is to raise the hand on your belly while the one on your chest remains still.
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Inhale through your nose and watch your belly fill with air, then slowly exhale through your mouth.
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The hand on the chest is used to ensure that the chest does not rise and if you notice that the hand rises it means that you are not using the diaphragm.
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When you exhale, open your mouth and let the air out passively, without contracting your abdominal muscles or arching your back.
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Again, the hand on the chest must remain still.
To breathe correctly with the diaphragm it is necessary to practice and if you learn to exhale through the mouth it can be useful when you are anxious to release tension. "
𝚋𝚢 𝙴𝚕𝚒𝚘 𝙶𝚊𝚎𝚝𝚊