Video: Nerve roots of the phrenic nerve

C3, 4, 5 keep it alive! Keep it alive! C3 4 5 keep it aliveee! This was the Bee Gees' song that did not make the album. And the way you'll remember the innervation of the diaphragm. Here's how:

The phrenic nerve which we can see here, arises from the C3,C4 and C5 spinal nerves and travels all the way down to provide motor innervation to the diaphragm. The C3,C4,C5 nerve roots supply the necessary energy for this muscle to function, enabling it to increase and decrease intrathoracic pressure, allowing us to breathe.

Therefore.. I think we can safely say that.. C3,C4,C5 keep the diaphragm alive!