Central Tendon of the Diaphragm
Centrum tendineum diaphragmatis
The central tendon of the diaphragm is the trefoil-shaped aponeurosis into which the muscular fibers of the diaphragm converge and insert. It has no bony attachment and is fused above with the fibrous pericardium, so the heart rises and falls with each breath. As the diaphragm contracts and pulls down on this tendon, the dome flattens to drive both inspiration and the intra-abdominal pressure used in bracing.
- Attaches to
- Fused with the fibrous pericardium superiorly; no bony attachment (free central insertion of the diaphragm)
Muscles Diaphragm