Which two body regions does the diaphragm separate?

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that plays a crucial role in respiration and separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. This anatomical division is significant because it allows for distinct pressure differences required for effective breathing, as well as providing separate spaces for different physiological functions.

In the thoracic cavity above the diaphragm, the heart and lungs reside, while the abdominal cavity below contains organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines. This separation prevents the friction that would occur between the two different types of organs and maintains the integrity of the thoracic and abdominal pressure systems essential for activities like breathing and digestion. Understanding this division is fundamental in fields like anatomy and corrective exercise, as it underpins many functional movements and considerations for posture and exercise programming.