Right hemidiaphragm

The term hemidiaphragm refers to the right or left part of the diaphragm muscle, but this term is mainly used in daily practice for to the dome-shaped part (diaphragmatic cupula) of diaphragm muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The dome-shaped appearance of the diaphragm is evident on chest radiographs.

The right hemidiaphragm is typically higher than the left hemidiaphragm due to the presence of the liver beneath it, which pushes it upwards.

Elevated hemidiaphragm occurs when one side of the diaphragm becomes weak from muscular disease or loss of innervation due to phrenic nerve injury.