What is a diaphragm? What are the functions of the diaphragm?

The diaphragm muscle is the muscle that lies between the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity , seperating these two cavities. Its main function is to increase the volume of the chest cavity when it contracts, allowing us to breathe. It is the most important respiratory muscle.

What are diaphragm diseases?

The most common diseases of the diaphragm are diaphragmatic paralysis, diaphragmatic hernias and ruptures. Diaphragm tumors are extremely rare.

What are the symptoms of diaphragm diseases?

Since the diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle, shortness of breath is most common in diaphragmatic diseases. There may also be complaints of pain in the upper abdomen and lower chest.

What is diaphragm paralysis? How is diaphragm paralysis treated?

The most common disease seen on the diaphragm is the inability of the diaphragm muscle to function due to complete or partial paralysis of the nerve leading to the diaphragm, and it stays in a loose upward position. In such diseases, since one side of the diaphragm muscle does not work, the patient complains of shortness of breath as both its contribution to the patient’s breathing will be lost and the rising diaphragm will put pressure on the lung and prevent good ventilation. In case of paralysis or elevation of the diaphragm, surgical intervention is necessary if the patient has complaints (such as shortness of breath) and if it makes life difficult. With surgery, the diaphragm muscle is restored to its original position and the patient’s shortness of breath improves. Today, diaphragm surgeries can also be performed with the endoscopic method and the patient has much less pain and can recover much more easily.

Diaphragmatic hernia

Hernias in the diaphragm may occur either after trauma or sometimes congenitally.  Since the intra-abdominal pressure is higher than the intra-thoracic pressure, in this disease, the intra-abdominal organs slide into the chest. This causes shortness of breath, respiratory failure and pain in the patient. Congenital hernias can be recognized by symptoms at an early age (bokdalek hernia) and some congenital hernias can be recognized at older age (Morgagni hernia).  When the diaphragm is perforated after blunt or penetrating injuries, diaphragmatic hernias may occur early or late depending on the size of the opening.

In addition, another diaphragmatic hernia, also known as gastric hernia among the people, is the enlargement of the hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes over time and the stomach protrudes into the chest (Hiatus hernia).

Surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernias can be performed with open and sometimes closed methods, depending on the location of the hernia and whether it is a new or chronic hernia. The approach may be from the thoracic cavity or the abdominal cavity.