Openings in the Diaphragm
1. Aortic opening lies anterior to body of
12th thoracic vertebra between crura. It
transmits aorta, thoracic duct & azygos vein
2. Esophageal opening lies at level of 10th
thoracic vertebra in a sling of muscle fibers
derived from right crus (It transmits
esophagus, right and left vagus nerves,
esophageal branches of left gastric vessels
& lymphatics from lower 1/3 of esophagus
3. Caval opening lies at level of 8th thoracic
vertebra in central tendon. It transmits
inferior vena cava and terminal branches of
right phrenic nerve.
In addition to these openings:
Sympathetic splanchnic nerves pierce crura
Sympathetic trunks pass posterior to
medial arcuate ligament on each side
Superior epigastric vessels pass between
sternal and costal origins of diaphragm