vena cava

[ vee-nuh key-vuh ]

/ ˈvi nə ˈkeɪ və /

noun, plural ve·nae ca·vae [vee-nee key-vee] /ˈvi ni ˈkeɪ vi/. Anatomy.

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.

Nearby words

Origin of vena cava

First recorded in 1590–1600, vena cava is from the Latin word vēna cava hollow vein

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for vena cava

vena cava

/ (ˈkeɪvə) /

noun plural venae cavae (ˈkeɪviː)

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

Word Origin for vena cava

Latin: hollow vein

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for vena cava

vena cava

Medical Latin, from Latin vena "vein" (see vein) + cava, from cavus "hollow" (see cave (n.)).

Medicine definitions for vena cava

vena cava

[ kā′və ]

n. pl. venae ca•vae (kā′vē)

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

Science definitions for vena cava

vena cava

[ vē′nə kā′və ]

Plural venae cavae (vē′nē kā′vē)

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