The Phrenic nerve contracts the diaphragm, Why does it exit the spinal cord at the cervical level?

Question

It should arise from the level of the diaphragm, in the lower thoracic spine.

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Answer 1

The respiratory system does not carry out its physiological function (of gas exchange) until after birth. The respiratory tract, diaphragm and lungs do form early in embryonic development.So the diaphragm is innervated before respiration (and lungs) begin to function. The diaphragm is developed from mesoderm while lungs are from entoderm..
Four embryologic components make up the formation of the diaphragm: the septum transversum, two pleuroperitoneal folds, cervical myotomes, and the dorsal mesentery. Development begins during the third week of gestation and is completed by the eighth week.
So phrenic nerve from cervical cord innervates diaphragm

Answer 2

where does the phrenic nerve exit from the spine

Answer 3

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