superior vena cava
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Related to superior vena cava: left atrium, right atrium, pulmonary vein, pulmonary valve, pulmonary artery, aorta, tricuspid valve, Right pulmonary artery
vena
[ve´nah] (pl. ve´nae) (L.)vein (see also Appendix 2-6).
vena ca´va the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava considered as a unit. See Appendix 2-6.
inferior vena cava the venous trunk for the lower extremities and the pelvic and abdominal viscera; it empties into the right atrium of the heart. See Appendix 2-6.
superior vena cava the venous trunk draining blood from the head, neck, upper extremities, and chest; it empties into the right atrium of the heart. See Appendix 2-6.
superior vena cava
the second largest vein of the body, returning deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the right atrium. It is about 2 cm in diameter and 7 cm long. The section of the superior vena cava closest to the heart composes about one half of the vessel's length and is within the pericardial sac, covered by the serous pericardium. It has no valves. Compare inferior vena cava.
su·pe·ri·or ve·na ca·va
(sŭ-pēr'ē-ŏr vē'nă kā'vă)Returns blood from the head and neck, upper limbs, and thorax to the posterosuperior aspect of the right atrium; formed in the superior mediastinum by union of the two brachiocephalic veins.
Synonym(s): vena cava superior [TA] , precava.
Synonym(s): vena cava superior [TA] , precava.
superior vena cava
The final venous channel that returns blood from the head, shoulders, upper limbs and thoracic structures other than the lungs to the upper chamber (atrium) of the right side of the heart.Superior vena cava
The major vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart.
Mentioned in: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
vena cava
vein trunks carrying deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atriuminferior vena cava receiving blood from deep veins of legs and pelvis
superior vena cava receiving blood from head, neck, upper limbs and thorax