In addition to being paralyzed from the neck down, Reeve lost control of his phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm and the lungs.
42.
These hiccups are part of fetal development and are associated with the myelination of the phrenic nerve, which primarily controls the thoracic diaphragm.
43.
The resulting palsy has been clinically treated using the phrenic nerve as a donor for neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve and the median nerve.
44.
These spontaneously generate signals ( action potentials ) responsible for inspiration and expiration which are then transmitted to the diaphragm by the phrenic nerve.
45.
The fourth vertebra, which Roy shattered, is slightly lower on the spine and below the phrenic nerve, leaving his ability to breathe relatively unimpaired.
46.
The phrenic nerve can be blocked temporarily with injection of 0.5 % procaine, or permanently with bilateral phrenicotomy or other forms of surgical destruction.
47.
If the accessory phrenic nerve is present, it lies lateral to the main nerve and descends posterior and occasionally inferior to the subclavian vein.
48.
The respiratory center sends a signal along the phrenic nerve, excites the diaphragm muscle cells, leading to muscle contraction and descent of the diaphragm dome.
49.
The action of breathing takes place because of nerve signals sent by the respiratory centres in the brainstem, along the phrenic nerve to the diaphragm.
50.
Triggering that expansion and contraction are two " wires, " called the phrenic nerves, one running from the brain down to each side of the diaphragm.
