crura of diaphragm (crus)

Structure: - musculotendinous bundles that arise from the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the superior 3 lumbar vertebrae, the anterior longitudinal ligament & the IV discs - right crus: - larger & longer than the left crus - arises from the first three or four lumbar vertebrae - esophageal hiatus is a formation in the right crus - left crus; - arises from the first two or three lumbar vertebrae * The 2 diaphragmatic crura form borders of the retrocrural space.

References

Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th edition, KL Moore & AF Dalley (eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA 1999.