Fig. 1

Photomacrograph of the diaphragm of Eira barbara. (A). Radiographic image left laterolateral view. Note the diaphragm (b) attached dorsally to the 14th thoracic vertebra (1) and ventrally to the xiphoid region (2). a. thoracic aorta and c. heart. (B). Ventrocaudal view showing the exact point of separation of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. a- Central area of the mediastinodiaphragmatic recess, b- sternal region, c- vena cava (vena cava foramen), d- right costal region, e- left costal region, f- esophagus, i- aorta (both in the aortic hiatus), g- right pillar, h- left pillar, together forming the j- lumbar region juxtaposed to the lumbocostal arches (A - yellow, B and C - blue). (C). Cranial view. (D). Caudal view. In B and C we can see the same structures and regions of b - j, k - phrenic nerve. Note in C the pointed demarcation of the tendon center and the traced demarcation of the triangular area devoid of muscle (*). Scale bars: 1 cm