The diaphragm in chest radiology.

In roentgenograms of the chest, it was observed that there was an increase in the difference between the right and left domes of the diaphragm in the right lateral views when compared with the difference present in the posteroanterior views. A difference of 3-5 cm in posteroanterior views and 5-0 cm in the right lateral views, could be considered normal values. The greater difference in the levels of the domes of the diaphragm in the right lateral views was confirmed in a study using hepatic models. Factors responsible for this radiological distortion have been outlined and the clinical significance of this phenomenon in respect to elevation of the right dome of the diaphragm has been discussed.