US Medical Term · anatomy
Diaphragm
Diafragma
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Diaphragm |
| Spanish (Español) | Diafragma |
| Chinese (中文) | 橫膈膜 |
| Korean (한국어) | 횡격막 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Cơ hoành |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Dayapragma |
| Portuguese (Português) | Diafragma |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กระบังลม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 横隔膜 |
What it means
The diaphragm is a large dome-shaped muscle that sits just beneath your lungs and separates your chest from your abdomen. It is the most important muscle for breathing. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, pulling air down into your lungs. When you exhale, it relaxes and rises back into its dome shape, pushing air out. Hiccups happen when the diaphragm spasms involuntarily. The diaphragm also has openings that allow the esophagus, aorta, and major blood vessels to pass through it. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm meant for the esophagus.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor said I have a hiatal hernia, which means part of my stomach is pushing through my diaphragm.
Mi médico dijo que tengo una hernia hiatal, lo que significa que parte de mi estómago está empujando a través de mi diafragma.
I have been having pain right under my chest that gets worse when I breathe deeply — could it be my diaphragm?
Tengo dolor justo debajo del pecho que empeora cuando respiro profundo. ¿Podría ser el diafragma?
The breathing exercises help me strengthen my diaphragm so I do not get as short of breath.
Los ejercicios de respiración me ayudan a fortalecer el diafragma para que no me falte tanto el aire.
Where you'll see it
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Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026