Mnemonic

Diaphragm Blood Supply

A memory aid for the arteries supplying the diaphragm from above and below.

Expansion

Pericardiacophrenic, musculophrenic and superior phrenic arteries above; inferior phrenic arteries below

Expansion

From above (thoracic side)

  • Pericardiacophrenic artery, accompanying the phrenic nerve
  • Musculophrenic artery, a terminal branch of the internal thoracic
  • Superior phrenic arteries, from the descending thoracic aorta

From below (abdominal side)

  • Inferior phrenic arteries, from the abdominal aorta - the main supply

Venous drainage mirrors this, with the inferior phrenic veins draining to the inferior vena cava on the right and to the left suprarenal vein or inferior vena cava on the left.

The inferior phrenic artery is also a recognised source of collateral supply to hepatocellular carcinoma, which is relevant during transarterial chemoembolisation.