Abstract Summary
The diaphragmatic ligament (DL) provides the pressure barrier separating thorax from abdomen in mammals. It has a microarchitecture that resists hoop stresses and herniation and provides a biaxial elastic layer of elastin. Modelling of the microarchitecture reveals how the ligament could transpose increased hoop stresses, during intercostal breathing, into non-muscular shortening of the diaphragm and increased inflation of the lung.
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