cardinal vein

/ˌkɑrdnəl veɪn/

Other forms: cardinal veins

Definitions of cardinal vein

1. noun

   any of the major venous channels in primitive adult vertebrates and in embryos of higher vertebrates
   types:

   anterior cardinal vein

   a major drainage channel from the cephalic part of the body

   posterior cardinal vein

   a major drainage channel from the caudal part of the body

   common cardinal vein

   the major return channels to the heart; formed by anastomosis of the anterior and posterior cardinal veins

   type of:

   vein, vena, venous blood vessel

   a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart