vena cava

vena ca·va (kv)

n. pl. venae ca·vae (kv)

Either of the two venae cavae, designated inferior and superior. Also called cava.

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Vena cava

The large vein that drains directly into the heart after gathering incoming blood from the entire body.

Mentioned in: Adrenalectomy

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vena cava

[vē′nə kā′və] pl. venae cavae

Etymology: L, vena, vein, cavum, cavity

one of two large veins returning blood from the peripheral circulation to the right atrium of the heart. See also inferior vena cava, superior vena cava. vena caval, adj.

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vena

pl. venae [L.] vein. See also Table 15.

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caudal vena caval syndrome

see caudal vena caval thrombosis.

vena cava

one of the large vessels emptying venous blood into the right atrium; includes cranial and caudal venae cavae.

vena cava spontaneous rupture

recorded as a cause of sudden death in horses.

vena cava thrombophlebitis

due usually to spread from a hepatic abscess; a common precursor to vena caval syndrome.

vena caval hiatus

see vena cava foramen.

vena caval syndrome

see caval syndrome.

persistent left cranial vena cava

an uncommon anomaly in dogs, often associated with other vascular anomalies such as persistent right aortic arch and tetralogy of Fallot.

posterior vena cava

caudal vena cava.

cranial vena caval venipuncture

a technique for blood sample collection in pigs; a needle is inserted into the cranial vena cava near the thoracic inlet.