phrenic nerve

/ˌfrɛnɪk nərv/

Other forms: phrenic nerves

Definitions of phrenic nerve

1. noun

   one of a pair of nerves that arises from cervical spinal roots and passes down the thorax to innervate the diaphragm and control breathing
   synonyms: nervus phrenicus

   type of:

   nervus spinalis, spinal nerve

   any of the 31 pairs of nerves emerging from each side of the spinal cord (each attached to the cord by two roots: ventral and dorsal)