Diaphragmatic excursion
Diaphragmatic Excursion
Diaphragmatic Excursion (pronounced: dye-uh-fram-AT-ik ex-KUR-shun) is a medical term used to describe the movement of the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a crucial role in respiration.
Etymology
The term is derived from the Greek word diaphragma, meaning 'partition', and the Latin word excursio, meaning 'a running out'.
Definition
Diaphragmatic excursion refers to the distance the diaphragm moves during normal breathing. It is an important measure of diaphragmatic function and is often assessed during a physical examination to evaluate respiratory health.
Measurement
The measurement of diaphragmatic excursion is typically performed using ultrasound or fluoroscopy. The patient is asked to take a deep breath in and then exhale as much as possible. The difference in the position of the diaphragm between full inhalation and full exhalation is the diaphragmatic excursion. Normal diaphragmatic excursion is typically between 3 to 5 cm in adults, but can vary depending on factors such as age, body size, and overall health.
Related Terms
- Diaphragm (anatomy): The muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen and assists in respiration.
- Thoracic cavity: The chamber of the body of vertebrates that is protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia).
- Abdominal cavity: The largest cavity in the body, it contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and appendix.
- Respiration: The process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.
- Physical examination: A routine test your primary care provider (PCP) performs to check your overall health.
- Ultrasound: An imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your body.
- Fluoroscopy: A study of moving body structures.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Diaphragmatic excursion
- Wikipedia's article - Diaphragmatic excursion
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