Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. This muscle, also called the thoracic diaphragm, is the main muscle used ...

Definition Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more severe and long-lasting condition in which GER causes repeated symptoms that are bothersome or leads to complications over time. If you ...

and the diaphragmatic hiatus (the opening for the esophagus) becomes enlarged. It allows a portion of your stomach to move up through this opening, disrupting the normal function of the lower ...