The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle that is primarily responsible for breathing. Contraction of the diaphragm expands the lungs and draws air into them.

Dietary nitrate seems to exert a greater impact on the contractile function of fast muscle cells. Thus, the benefits to the human diaphragm may not as pronounced as was observed in mice.

BIOMED Master's Thesis DefenseTitle: Quantifying Lung, Diaphragm, and Thoracospinal Radiographic Parameters to Predict Lung Volume and Function in Pediatric Normative and Early Onset Scoliosis ...

BIOMED Master's Thesis DefenseTitle: Quantifying Lung, Diaphragm, and Thoracospinal Radiographic Parameters to Predict Lung Volume and Function in Pediatric Normative and Early Onset Scoliosis ...