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Glite Dictionary
🫁 A dividing membrane 🎤 A sound membrane 📷 A light opening
paraphragm

paraphragm

9.9
A thin muscle under the lungs that separates the chest from the belly
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛrəˌfræɡm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diafragma
  • The paraphragm divides the thoracic and abdominal cavities in some animals.

Examples

  • The paraphragm is a crucial muscle for breathing.

  • Damage to the paraphragm can affect the internal organization of the body.

  • Scientists studied the function of the paraphragm in separating different organs.

  • Can you explain how the paraphragm works?

  • The paraphragm serves as a vital barrier that separates the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals.

  • In humans, the paraphragm plays a key role in respiration by creating a pressure difference.

  • The paraphragm acts as a partition between the lungs and the stomach, ensuring proper organ placement.

Synonyms

membrane
vsparaphragm
  • Specialized
74 4.5

A thin, flexible layer that covers or separates parts of a living thing and acts as a barrier in technology

is a general separator that can be a wall, layer, or thin sheet between parts
partition
vsparaphragm
20 4.3

Dividing something into separate parts, often with a border

is a physical separator rather than the action of dividing
diaphragm
vsparaphragm
  • Specialized
16 5.4

A large muscle under the lungs that helps you breathe

is a general separator inside an organism without specifying breathing role
septum
vsparaphragm
  • Specialized
15 6.7

A thin wall that divides two spaces inside the body, for example the nose or heart

is a broad separator dividing two parts within an organism or structure

How Thick

wall
∞ 1.0
bulkhead
  • Specialized
47 7.5
paraphragm
  • Specialized
9.9
membrane
  • Specialized
74 4.5
film
191 3.2

Surface Forms

paraphragm singular
paraphragms plural

Etymology

The word paraphragm comes from Greek parts para- 'beside' and phragm 'fence' or 'barrier'. So in the body a paraphragm is like a thin 'wall' that separates the chest and belly and helps each area work correctly.