Morphometric characteristics of the abdominal surface of the diaphragm for various benefits

Abstract

The dependence of the regional morphometric characteristics of the abdominal surface of the diaphragm on body shape was evaluated because the information available in the specialized literature on this issue differs significantly. The study was conducted on 30 corpses aged 50–70 years, who were embalmed using a special technology (preserving tissue elasticity, giving the diaphragm a physiological shape with deep exhalation by pumping air into the abdominal cavity). The objects were then frozen, abdominal organs were sequentially removed, and linear dimensions and areas of subdiaphragmatic, subhepatic, and splenic depressions, physiological openings (inferior vena cava, aorta, esophagus, and ligamentous apparatus of the upper floor of the peritoneal cavity), area nuda, diaphragm legs, and lumbar–rib triangles were examined. The results of the analysis of the morphometric parameters revealed significant statistically significant differences in the linear dimensions and areas of the right and left subdiaphragmatic, subhepatic, splenic depressions, and individual parts of the diaphragm in individuals with different body shapes. For these anatomical formations of the peritoneum, the highest values of morphometric parameters are characteristic of the brachymorphic form of the physique, except for the sizes of the lumbar–costal triangles, medial legs, and height of the diaphragm domes, which have the maximum dimensions with a dolichomorphic form. Attention was drawn to the significant differences in the area nuda between extreme forms of physique, which reached 59%. Statistically significant differences were found in the morphometric parameters of the abdominal surface of the diaphragm in mesomorphic and extreme forms of physique; however, they are characterized by smaller values, ranging from 8% to 42% for various parameters. Of particular importance is knowledge of the size of the studied parts of the diaphragm covered by the peritoneum during cytoreductive interventions. Anatomical studies performed on specially embalmed objects with preservation of tissue elasticity and the physiological shape of the diaphragm allow us to obtain its reliable morphometric characteristics.