vena cava

[ vee-nuh key-vuh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural ve·nae ca·vae [vee, -nee , key, -vee].

1. either of two large veins discharging blood into the right atrium of the heart, one superior vena cava, or precava conveying blood from the head, chest, and upper extremities and the other inferior vena cava or postcava conveying blood from all parts below the diaphragm.

vena cava

/ ˈkeɪvə /

noun

1. either one of the two large veins that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart

vena cava

/ vē′nəkā′və /

, Plural venae cavae vē′nēkā′vē

1. Either of two large veins that carry blood with low levels of oxygen to the right atrium of the heart.
2. ◆ The superior vena cava receives blood from the brain and upper limbs or forelimbs.
3. ◆ The inferior vena cava drains blood from the trunk and lower limbs or hindlimbs and is the largest vein in the body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vena cava¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin vēna cava, literally “hollow vein”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vena cava¹

Latin: hollow vein

Example Sentences

Was it possible that the extra blood that was supposed to go from the legs to the brain when the man stood up didn’t get there fast enough because of the narrowed vena cava?

From New York Times

I had a filter installed into my vena cava so that the clot wouldn't move.

From Salon

Mazrim said the gunshot wound that struck her in the back and tore through the vena cava would have been “rapidly lethal,” and Lyles would have lost consciousness almost immediately.

From Seattle Times

The coroner's report also concluded Butterfield had suffered various injuries, including a fractured skull, crushed ribs, and major damage to the inferior vena cava.

From Fox News

The fatal stab wound punctured his vena cava.

From Fox News