Final answer:
The esophagus is the structure that penetrates the diaphragm at the level of T10 via the esophageal hiatus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure that cuts through the diaphragm at the level of T10 is the esophagus. The diaphragm contains three main openings for various structures to pass between the thorax and the abdomen. The inferior vena cava passes through the canal opening, while the esophagus and attached nerves traverse the esophageal hiatus. The aorta, thoracic duct, and azygos vein, on the other hand, pass through the aortic hiatus of the posterior diaphragm. The esophagus is the structure that penetrates the diaphragm at the level of T10 via the esophageal hiatus.