'The' Diaphragm

The mid-thoracic diaphragm is one of the largest muscles in the human body and, arguably, the best single indicator of the quality of your aging. It is also hard to feel; so, if you want to be aware of your diaphragm, it is helpful to key into parts of yourself that relate closely, such as the lower ribs. For instance, tuck your fingers under your lower ribs and cough... you'll feel it. But note that it’s very misleading to refer to this big muscle as THE diaphragm. You have more of them, and they have to work together, for the most part. It’s hard to coordinate them if you’re not aware they exist.

Vocabulary term of the day: Thoracoabdominal pressure gradient