Central tendon of the diaphragm
Centrum tendineum
MuscularDeep musclesThorax
- What it is
- Thin, strong trefoil-shaped aponeurosis at the top of the diaphragm with anterior, right and left leaflets; the fibrous pericardium is fused to its upper surface and the inferior vena cava passes through it.
- Function
- Gives all the diaphragm's muscle fibres a common insertion, so their contraction pulls the dome down.
- Size
- About 10 cm across the leaflets and ~1 mm thick.
- Clinical note
- Because the vena caval opening lies in the tendon, inspiration stretches it open, helping blood return to the heart.