The subclavian nerve may issue a branch called the accessory phrenic nerve[3][2] which innervates the diaphragm.[3] The accessory phrenic nerve may rather branch from the C4 or C6 segments or ansa cervicalis.[4] This nerve usually joins with the phrenic nerve before innervating the diaphragm, ventral to the subclavian vein.[5]
Diagram of the brachial plexus. The subclavian nerve can be seen branching from where C5 and C6 join to form the upper trunk. (Label at top right).
The right brachial plexus. The subclavian nerve is not visible, but the muscle it innervates called the subclavius can be seen underneath the clavicle.
References
^Rubin, Michael (28 September 2016). Netter's concise neuroanatomy. Netter, Frank H. (Frank Henry), 1906-1991 (Updated ed.). Philadelphia, PA. p. 310. ISBN978-0-323-48091-8. OCLC946698976.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ abLoukas, Marios; Kinsella, Christopher R.; Louis, Robert G.; Gandhi, Sagar; Curry, Brian (November 2006). "Surgical anatomy of the accessory phrenic nerve". The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 82 (5): 1870–1875. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2006.05.098. ISSN1552-6259. PMID17062263.
^Kayalioglu, Gulgun (2009-01-01), "Chapter 4 - The Spinal Nerves", in Watson, Charles; Paxinos, George; Kayalioglu, Gulgun (eds.), The Spinal Cord, San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 37–56, ISBN978-0-12-374247-6, retrieved 2022-06-14