First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
diaphragm
noun di·a·phragm \ˈdī-ə-ˌfram\
medical : a large flat muscle that separates the lungs from the stomach area and that is used in breathing
: a device that controls the amount of light passing through the lens of a camera
: a device shaped like a cup that is placed in the vagina to prevent pregnancy
Full Definition of DIAPHRAGM
1
: a body partition of muscle and connective tissue; specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals
2
: a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube
3
a : a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate b : a transverse septum in a plant stem
4
: a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system — compare iris diaphragm
5
: a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
6
: a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
— di·a·phrag·mat·ic \ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-tik, -ˌfrag-\ adjective
— di·a·phrag·mat·i·cal·ly \-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of DIAPHRAGM
Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from diaphrassein to barricade, from dia- + phrassein to enclose
Other Anatomy Terms
Rhymes with DIAPHRAGM
aerogram, Amsterdam, anagram, Birmingham, Boulder Dam, cablegram, centigram, Christogram, chronogram, cofferdam, cryptogram, decagram, deprogram, diagram, epigram, fluid dram, giant clam, hard-shell clam, hexagram, histogram, Hohokam, hologram, kilogram, logogram, mammogram, milligram, Minicam, monogram, nomogram, oriflamme, pentagram, phonogram, pictogram, reprogram, Rotterdam, scattergram, self-exam, skiagram, soft-shell clam, sonogram, subprogram, telegram, tetradrachm, thank-you-ma'am, tinker's damn, Uncle Sam
DIAPHRAGM Defined for Kids
diaphragm
noun di·a·phragm \ˈdī-ə-ˌfram\
Definition of DIAPHRAGM for Kids
1
: a muscular wall that separates the lungs from the stomach area and assists in breathing in
2
: a thin disk (as in a microphone) that vibrates when sound strikes it
Medical Dictionary
diaphragm
noun di·a·phragm \ˈdī-ə-ˌfram\
Medical Definition of DIAPHRAGM
1
: a body partition of muscle and connective tissue; specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals—see pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm
2
: a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system
3
: a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
Illustration of DIAPHRAGM
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