A review of the distribution of the arterial and venous vasculature of the diaphragm and its clinical relevance

M. Loukas, El Z. Diala, R. S. Tubbs, L. Zhan, P. Rhizek, A. Monsekis, M. Akiyama

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The diaphragm is the major respiratory muscle of the body. As it plays such a vital role, a continuous arterial and venous blood supply is of the utmost importance. It is therefore not surprising to find described in the literature a complex system of anastomoses that contributes to the maintenance of this muscle's life-preserving contraction. Understanding the anatomy of the diaphragm and any divergence in its vasculature is literally vital to humanity. In the light of this, we review the literature on the blood supply to the diaphragm, with specific emphasis on the recent description of the inferior phrenic vessels and the superior phrenic artery, summarize the clinical significance of the diaphragmatic vasculature and suggest future avenues of study to further expand on this current body of knowledge.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-165
Number of pages7
JournalFolia Morphologica
Volume67
Issue number3
StatePublished - Aug 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diaphragm
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Inferior phrenic artery
  • Superior phrenic artery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Histology

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