Phrenic nerve [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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====== Phrenic nerve ======

The phrenic [[nerve]] is a [[nerve]] that originates in the neck (C3-C5) and passes down between the lung and heart to reach the diaphragm. It is important for breathing, as it passes motor information to the diaphragm and receives sensory information from it. There are two phrenic nerves, a left and a right one.

The phrenic nerve originates mainly from the 4th cervical nerve, but also receives contributions from the 5th and 3rd cervical nerves (C3-C5) in humans.

Thus, the phrenic nerve receives innervation from parts of both the cervical plexus and the brachial plexus of nerves.

The phrenic nerves contain motor, sensory, and sympathetic nerve fibers. These nerves provide the only motor supply to the diaphragm as well as sensation to the central tendon. In the thorax, each phrenic nerve supplies the mediastinal pleura and pericardium.

===== Phrenic nerve injury =====

[[Phrenic nerve injury]]

===== Phrenic nerve transfer =====

see [[Phrenic nerve transfer]]