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diaphragm

8 ENTRIES FOUND:

di·a·phragm

noun \ˈdī-ə-ˌfram\

Definition of DIAPHRAGM

1
: a body partition of muscle and connective tissue; specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals
2
: a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube
3
a : a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate b : a transverse septum in a plant stem
4
: a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system — compare iris diaphragm
5
: a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
6
: a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
di·a·phrag·mat·ic \ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-tik, -ˌfrag-\ adjective
di·a·phrag·mat·i·cal·ly \-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Origin of DIAPHRAGM

Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from diaphrassein to barricade, from dia- + phrassein to enclose
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

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