1
: of or relating to the diaphragm
2
: of or relating to the mind
Examples of phrenic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of these neurotransmitters, called dopamine, plays a role in regulating the phrenic nerve, which controls breathing in the diaphragm.
—
Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
The left and right phrenic nerves control movement of the left and right side of the diaphragm, respectively.10
During inhalation, the phrenic nerve signals the diaphragm to contract, allowing the lungs to expand and gather in air.
—Soma Mandal, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
This inflammation can irritate the phrenic nerve that runs from the neck down to the diaphragm, resulting in intensely sharp pain in the right shoulder blade.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Cancer may also be found in the bronchus, pleura, diaphragm, chest wall, breastbone, backbone, phrenic nerve, pericardium, vena cava, aorta, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and/or carina (the area where the trachea branches into the bronchi).
—Lynne Eldridge, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2023
Stellate or phrenic nerve blocks: These injections use medications that numb the target nerve.
—Jessica Migala, Health, 6 Aug. 2023
There are few concrete medical cures for the hiccups, but experts know that stopping them ideally involves the diaphragm, the vagus nerve and the phrenic nerve.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 4 Mar. 2022
In general, things that irritate the diaphragm or the nerves that connect to the diaphragm (called the phrenic and vagus nerves), can lead to hiccups.
—Jessica Migala, Health.com, 16 Nov. 2021
The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm, while the vagus nerve helps control the lungs and other internal organs.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
The left and right phrenic nerves control movement of the left and right side of the diaphragm, respectively.10
During inhalation, the phrenic nerve signals the diaphragm to contract, allowing the lungs to expand and gather in air.
—Soma Mandal, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
This inflammation can irritate the phrenic nerve that runs from the neck down to the diaphragm, resulting in intensely sharp pain in the right shoulder blade.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Cancer may also be found in the bronchus, pleura, diaphragm, chest wall, breastbone, backbone, phrenic nerve, pericardium, vena cava, aorta, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and/or carina (the area where the trachea branches into the bronchi).
—Lynne Eldridge, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2023
Stellate or phrenic nerve blocks: These injections use medications that numb the target nerve.
—Jessica Migala, Health, 6 Aug. 2023
There are few concrete medical cures for the hiccups, but experts know that stopping them ideally involves the diaphragm, the vagus nerve and the phrenic nerve.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 4 Mar. 2022
In general, things that irritate the diaphragm or the nerves that connect to the diaphragm (called the phrenic and vagus nerves), can lead to hiccups.
—Jessica Migala, Health.com, 16 Nov. 2021
The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm, while the vagus nerve helps control the lungs and other internal organs.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Phrenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phrenic. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phrenic
1 of 2 adjective
phren·ic
ˈfren-ik 
: of or relating to the diaphragm
phrenic
2 of 2 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share