What is zone of apposition?

The zone of apposition (ZOA) is the area of the diaphragm encompassing the cylindrical portion (the part of the muscle shaped like a dome/umbrella) which corresponds to the portion directly apposed to the inner aspect of the lower rib cage.

What zone is the diaphragm?

The cylindrical aspect of the diaphragm that apposes the inner aspect of the lower mediastinal (chest) wall constitutes the zone of apposition.

What happens to the diaphragm during pregnancy?

In the last trimester of pregnancy, your growing baby pushes your uterus against your diaphragm. The diaphragm is moved up about 4 centimeters from its prepregnancy position. Your lungs are also somewhat compressed. This all means that you’re unable to take in as much air with each breath.

What is the role of the diaphragm during normal breathing in infants?

The diaphragm contracts and relaxes during breathing, expanding and contracting the volume of the thoracic cage. The associated air pressure changes inside the thoracic cavity cause the lungs to expand (a) and to deflate (b).

What effect does the shape of the diaphragm have on intra abdominal pressure?

During inspiration the diaphragm contracts and moves down caudally like a piston into the abdominal cavity, which creates a negative pressure in the thoracic cavity that forces air into the lungs and simultaneously increases the intra-abdominal pressure.

What is a diaphragm anatomy?

diaphragm, dome-shaped, muscular and membranous structure that separates the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities in mammals; it is the principal muscle of respiration.

What rib level is the diaphragm?

The diaphragm is a musculotendinous structure with a peripheral attachment to a number of bony structures. It is attached anteriorly to the xiphoid process and costal margin, laterally to the 11th and 12th ribs, and posteriorly to the lumbar vertebrae.

Do babies breathe abdominally?

The abdominal muscles help the diaphragm pull downward to fill the lungs with air. Babies and young children will use their abdominal muscles much more to pull the diaphragm down for breathing. The intercostal muscles are not fully developed at the time of birth.