Which description best characterizes the nerves associated with the diaphragm and their locations?

Which description best characterizes the nerves associated with the diaphragm and their locations?

• A. Greater, lesser, & least splanchnic nerves piercing the crura; sympathetic trunks posterior to medial arcuate ligament bilaterally; left phrenic nerve piercing dome of diaphragm
• B. Phrenic nerves supply motor to diaphragm and sensory to central tendon
• C. Vagus nerves course along the esophagus
• D. Intercostal nerves provide diaphragmatic motor function

Answer: (D)

The nerves that serve the diaphragm are mainly the phrenic nerves. They originate from C3–C5 and provide motor innervation to the diaphragm muscle as well as sensory fibers to the central part of the diaphragm (the central tendon area, which is closely related to the pericardium). The peripheral muscular portion of the diaphragm is largely innervated by lower intercostal nerves for sensation, while motor supply to the diaphragm itself comes from the phrenic nerves. Among the statements, the one that correctly states this pattern is that the phrenic nerves supply motor to the diaphragm and sensory to the central tendon. The other options mix in incorrect details: the splanchnic nerves are abdominal viscera supplies and do not describe diaphragm innervation; the vagus nerve runs along the esophagus but does not describe diaphragm motor innervation; and intercostal nerves do not provide diaphragmatic motor function.

The nerves that serve the diaphragm are mainly the phrenic nerves. They originate from C3–C5 and provide motor innervation to the diaphragm muscle as well as sensory fibers to the central part of the diaphragm (the central tendon area, which is closely related to the pericardium). The peripheral muscular portion of the diaphragm is largely innervated by lower intercostal nerves for sensation, while motor supply to the diaphragm itself comes from the phrenic nerves.

Among the statements, the one that correctly states this pattern is that the phrenic nerves supply motor to the diaphragm and sensory to the central tendon. The other options mix in incorrect details: the splanchnic nerves are abdominal viscera supplies and do not describe diaphragm innervation; the vagus nerve runs along the esophagus but does not describe diaphragm motor innervation; and intercostal nerves do not provide diaphragmatic motor function.