Paralysis If either the phrenic nerve, cervical spine or brainstem is damaged, this will sever the nervous supply to the<unk> . The most common damage to the phrenic nerve is by bronchial cancer, which usually only affects one side of the<unk> . Other causes include Guillain–Barré syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. Herniation A hiatus hernia is a hernia common in adults in which parts of the lower esophagus or stomach that are normally in the abdomen pass/bulge abnormally through the<unk>  and are present in the thorax. Hernias are described as rolling, in which the hernia is beside the oesophagus, or sliding, in which the hernia directly involves the esophagus. These hernias are implicated in the development of reflux, as the different pressures between the thorax and abdomen normally act to keep pressure on the esophageal hiatus. With herniation, this pressure is no longer present, and the angle between the cardia of the stomach and the oesophagus disappear. Not all hiatus hernias cause symptoms however, although almost all people with Barrett's oesophagus or oesophagitis have a hiatus hernia. Hernias may also occur as a result of congenital malformation, a congenital<unk> atic hernia. When the pleuroperitoneal membranes fail to fuse, the<unk>  does not act as an effective barrier between the abdomen and thorax. Herniation is usually of the left, and commonly through the posterior lumbocostal triangle, although rarely through the anterior foramen of Morgagni. The contents of the abdomen, including the intestines, may be present in the thorax, which may impact development of the growing lungs and lead to hypoplasia. This condition is present in 0.8 - 5/10,000 births. A large herniation has high mortality rate, and requires immediate surgical repair. Imaging alt Due to its position separating the thorax and abdomen, fluid abnormally present in the thorax, or air abnormally present in the abdomen, may collect on one side of the<unk> . An X-ray may reveal this. Pleural effusion, in which there is fluid abnormally present between the two pleurae of the lungs, is detected by an X-ray of the chest, showing fluid collecting in the angle between the ribs and<unk> . An X-ray may also be used to reveal a pneumoperitoneum, in which there is gas in the abdomen. An X-ray may also be used to check for herniation.
Thoracic diaphragm
Diaphragm 
Thoracic inlet
Boracic lint
Cervical rib
Subclavian loop
Pleural cavity
Lung cavity