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Foundations & Breath Mechanics
Diaphragm
Also known as: Thoracic diaphragm
German: Zwerchfell, Diaphragma
The dome-shaped sheet of muscle below the lungs and the main muscle of breathing. When it contracts, it flattens and moves down, so the chest gets larger and air flows in; when it relaxes, air flows out. It works together with the muscles between the ribs.