In this article we will discuss about Phrenic nerve. So let’s get started.
Phrenic nerve
It originates basically from C4 and partly from C5&C6 and majorly supplies motor fibres to diaphragm and sensory fibres to pericardium, mediastinal pleura and diaphragm peritoneum. It has two division right and left phrenic nerve. The right phrenic nerve courses over the brachio-cephalic artery, posterior to the subclavian vein, and crosses anteriorly to the root of right lung and then leaves the thorax passing through the vena cava hiatus opening in the diaphragm at the level of T8. It passes over the right atrium whereas left phrenic artery passes over the pericardium of the left ventricle and passes through the diaphragm. Irritation of phrenic nerve leads to hiccup reflex and disease or abscess in phrenic nerve causes referred pain in the concerned shoulder i.e left phrenic nerve corresponding referred pain to left shoulder.
