Phrenic Nerve

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  • arise in neck from anterior rami of C3,C4,C5 nerve roots
    • deep to scalenus anterior and medius
  • runs on scalenus anterior
  • over anterior of dome of pleura
  • enters chest by descending from medial lower border of scalenus anterior
  • between subclavian vein anteriorly and subclavian artery posteriorly

Left Phrenic Nerve

  • descends along left side of left subclavian artery
  • crosses left side of aortic arch
  • crosses left side of left vagus nerve
  • passes in front of root of left lung
  • descends over left side of pericardium
    • overlying left ventricle
  • terminal branches pierce muscle

 

Right Phrenic Nerve

  • descends in thorax along right side of brachiocephalic vein
  • along right side superior vena cava
  • passes in front of root of lung
  • runs along right side of pericardium
    • overlying right atrium
  • descends on right side of inferior vena cava
  • terminal branches pass through caval opening

Supplies

  • sole motor supply to diaphragm
  • carry sensation
    • peritoneum covering central surface of underside of diaphragm
    • pleura covering central region of upper surface
    • pericardium 
    • mediastinal parietal pleura
 

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