Diaphragmatic (redirected from diaphragmatic rupture)

di·a·phragm  (d-frm)

n.

1. Anatomy A muscular membranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration. Also called midriff.

2. A membranous part that divides or separates.

3. A thin disk, especially in a microphone or telephone receiver, that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electric signals, or that vibrates in response to electric signals to produce sound waves.

4. A contraceptive device consisting of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the uterine cervix to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse.

5. A disk having a fixed or variable opening used to restrict the amount of light traversing a lens or optical system.

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[Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, midriff, from Greek, partition, from diaphrassein, to barricade : dia-, intensive pref.; see dia- + phrassein, phrag-, to enclose.]

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dia·phrag·matic (-frg-mtk) adj.

dia·phrag·mati·cal·ly adv.