Which statement about the diaphragmatic openings is true?

Which statement about the diaphragmatic openings is true?

• A. The central tendon is a real opening.
• B. The caval opening is at T10.
• C. The esophageal opening is formed by the left crus.
• D. The thoracic duct passes through the aortic opening.

Answer: (D)

The diaphragmatic openings are defined passages that transmit specific structures at particular levels, not all openings correspond to the same thing. The thoracic duct enters the thorax through the aortic hiatus, which is the posterior opening at about the T12 level formed by the crura and surrounding ligaments; from there it ascends to the left to reach its venous junctions. So, this statement is correct because the thoracic duct does pass through the aortic opening. Metax: The central tendon is not itself an opening, so that statement isn’t true. The caval foramen is at about T8, not T10. The esophageal hiatus is primarily formed by the right crus (with contributions from the left), not solely by the left crus, so that claim isn’t accurate either.

The diaphragmatic openings are defined passages that transmit specific structures at particular levels, not all openings correspond to the same thing. The thoracic duct enters the thorax through the aortic hiatus, which is the posterior opening at about the T12 level formed by the crura and surrounding ligaments; from there it ascends to the left to reach its venous junctions. So, this statement is correct because the thoracic duct does pass through the aortic opening.

Metax: The central tendon is not itself an opening, so that statement isn’t true. The caval foramen is at about T8, not T10. The esophageal hiatus is primarily formed by the right crus (with contributions from the left), not solely by the left crus, so that claim isn’t accurate either.