Organs, Lobes And The Diaphragm

In addition to the intercostal muscles between the ribs, the multiple-muscled diaphragm stretches like a complex, elastic floor across the bottom of your ribcage, and serves as the most powerful and important breathing tool you have. Now your bony cage, with its strategically placed muscles, has become a powerful pump, able to move air in and out of your body on command.

The elusive muscle floor of the diaphragm attaches around the bottom rim of the ribcage and to the waist-level lumbar spine at the rear. This big diaphragm serves simultaneously as the elastic floor of your ribcage, and the elastic ceiling of your abdominal cage.

The constant rising and flattening action of this powerful sheath as it pumps the air in and out, gently massages the heart and lungs as it rises, and in turn, the stomach, liver, spleen and intestines as it flattens down to pull in new air.

Since the partition of the diaphragm slices more or less horizontally all the way through the standing body, it remains out of sight, and is almost impossible to touch. To further complicate matters, it does not lie flat and neat like the floor of a bucket or a birdcage. At the finish of each exhalation, the relaxed diaphragm resembles a lopsided hill with its high side stretched up over the mound of the large liver on your right.

Inactivity encourages a lazy diaphragm. An active diaphragm is essential for efficient breathing. If you are stuck at a desk, take frequent deep breaths to keep your energy up.

Be well. Breathe beautifully and efficiently.