Diaphragm vs Heart
| Property | Diaphragm | Heart |
|---|---|---|
| Latin Name | Musculus diaphragma | Cor |
| Type | Muscle | Organ |
| Body System | Muscular | Cardiovascular |
| Body Region | Thorax | Heart Region |
| Function | The primary muscle of respiration. Contraction flattens the dome-shaped muscle, increasing thoracic volume and creating negative pressure to draw air into the lungs during inspiration. | The central pump of the cardiovascular system, propelling blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits. Beats approximately 100,000 times per day, pumping about 7,500 liters of blood daily. |
| Clinical Significance | Diaphragmatic hernias allow abdominal organs to enter the thoracic cavity. Phrenic nerve paralysis causes diaphragmatic elevation. Hiccups result from involuntary diaphragmatic spasms. | Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Myocardial infarction results from coronary artery occlusion. Heart failure, valvular diseases, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects are major cardiovascular conditions. |
| FMA ID | 13295 | 7088 |
Full structure pages
Diaphragm
Musculus diaphragma
The principal muscle of respiration, the diaphragm is a musculotendinous dome that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. When it contracts, the dome flattens, increasing thoracic volume and generating the negative pressure that draws air …
Heart
Cor
A muscular pump roughly the size of a fist, the heart lies in the middle mediastinum and drives blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits. It beats about 100,000 times a day, moving some 7,500 …