superior vena cava
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Related to anterior vena cava: pulmonary artery, Posterior vena cava
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.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
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.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
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.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
Superior vena cava
The major vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart.
Mentioned in: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.