vena

/ˈvinə/

Other forms: venae

Definitions of vena

1. noun

   a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
   synonyms: vein, venous blood vessel

   types:

   accessory cephalic vein, vena cephalica accessoria

   a vein that passes along the radial edge of the forearm and joins the cephalic vein near the elbow

   accessory hemiazygos vein, accessory hemiazygous vein, vena hemiazygos accessoria

   a vein formed by the union of the 4th to 7th posterior intercostal veins; empties into the azygos vein

   accessory vertebral vein, vena vertebralis accessoria

   a vein that accompanies the vertebral vein but passes through the foramen of the transverse process of the 7th cervical vertebra and empties into the brachiocephalic vein

   accompanying vein, vena comitans

   a vein accompanying another structure; a vein may accompany an artery in such a way that the arterial pulses aid venous return

   anastomotic vein, vena anastomotica

   either of two communicating veins serving the brain

   angular vein, vena angularis

   a short vein formed by the supraorbital vein and the supratrochlear vein and continuing as the facial vein

   anterior vertebral vein, vena vertebralis anterior

   a vein that accompanies the ascending cervical artery and opens into the vertebral vein

   appendicular vein, vena appendicularis

   a vein that accompanies the appendicular artery and empties into the ileocolic vein

   arcuate vein of the kidney, vena arcuata renis

   veins that receive blood from interlobular veins of kidney and rectal venules

   auricular vein, vena auricularis

   one of two veins serving the ear region

   axillary vein, vena axillaris

   a continuation of the basilic vein and brachial vein that becomes the subclavian vein

   azygos vein, azygous vein, vena azygos

   one of a system of veins that drain the thoracic and abdominal walls; arises as a continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein and terminates in the superior vena cava

   basal vein, vena basalis

   a large vein passing along the medial surface of the temporal lobe and emptying into the great cerebral vein

   basilic vein, vena basilica

   a vein that drains the back of the hand and forearm and empties into the axillary vein

   basivertebral vein, vena basivertebralis

   one of a number of veins draining the spongy substance of the vertebrae and emptying into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus

   brachial vein, vena brachialis

   two veins in either arm that accompany the brachial artery and empty into the axillary vein

   brachiocephalic vein, innominate vein, vena brachiocephalica

   veins formed by the union of the internal jugular and subclavian veins

   bronchial vein, vena bronchialis

   veins serving the bronchi; empty into the azygos vein

   cardinal vein

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

   central veins of liver, venae centrales hepatis

   terminal branches of the hepatic veins that lie in the hepatic lobules and receive blood from the liver sinusoids

   central vein of retina, vena centrales retinae

   vein formed by the union of the retinal veins; accompanies central arteries of the retina in the optic nerve

   central vein of suprarenal gland, vena centralis glandulae suprarenalis

   a single draining vein; on the right it empties into the inferior vena cava; on the left it empties into the left renal vein

   cephalic vein, vena cephalica

   a large vein of the arm that empties into the axillary vein

   cerebellar vein, vena cerebellum

   the veins draining the cerebellum

   cerebral vein, vena cerebri

   any of several veins serving the cerebral hemispheres of the brain

   cervical vein, deep cervical vein, vena cervicalis profunda

   a vein that accompanies an artery of the same name

   choroid vein, vena choroidea

   either of two veins serving the choroid coat of the eye

   ciliary veins, venae ciliares

   small veins coming from the ciliary body

   circumflex vein, vena circumflexa

   any of several curved parallel veins accompanying arteries of the same name

   clitoral vein, vena clitoridis

   veins that serve the clitoris

   colic vein, vena colica

   vein serving the large intestine

   common facial vein

   vein formed by union of facial vein and the retromandibular vein and emptying into the jugular vein

   conjunctival veins, venae conjunctivales

   veins draining the conjunctiva

   costoaxillary vein

   one of several veins connecting intercostal veins with the lateral thoracic vein or the thoracoepigastric vein

   cutaneous vein, vena cutanea

   one of a number of veins in the subcutaneous tissue that empty into deep veins

   cystic vein, vena cystica

   vein that drains the gallbladder

   digital vein, vena digitalis

   one of the veins serving the fingers or toes

   diploic vein, vena diploica

   one of the veins serving the spongy part of the cranial bones

   dorsal scapular vein, vena scapularis dorsalis

   vein that is a tributary of the subclavian vein or external jugular vein and accompanies the descending scapular artery

   emissary vein, vena emissaria

   one of several connecting veins in the scalp and head that drain blood from sinuses in the dura mater to veins outside the skull

   epigastric vein

   veins serving the anterior walls of the abdomen

   esophageal veins, oesophageal veins, venae esophageae

   small veins from the esophagus emptying into the brachiocephalic vein or the azygos veins

   ethmoidal vein, vena ethmoidalis

   veins that drain the ethmoidal sinuses and empty into the superior ophthalmic vein

   external nasal vein, vena nasalis externa

   one of the veins that drain the external nose and empty into the angular or facial vein

   facial vein, vena facialis

   any of several veins draining the face

   femoral vein, vena femoralis

   a vein that accompanies the femoral artery in the same sheath; a continuation of the popliteal vein; becomes the external iliac vein

   gastric vein, vena gastrica

   one of several veins draining the stomach walls

   gastroepiploic vein, gastroomental vein, vena gastroomentalis

   one of two veins serving the great curvature of the stomach

   genicular vein, vena genus

   veins that drain blood from structures around the knee; empty into the popliteal vein

   gluteal vein, vena gluteus

   veins draining the gluteal muscles on either side of the body

   hemizygos vein, hemizygous vein, vena hemizygos

   a continuation of the left ascending lumbar vein; crosses the midline at the 8th vertebra and empties into the azygos vein

   hemorrhoidal vein, rectal vein, vena rectalis

   any of several veins draining the walls of the anal canal and rectum

   hepatic vein, vena hepatica

   a vein that drains the liver; empties into the vena cava

   ileocolic vein, vena ileocolica

   a vein that drains the end of the ileum and the appendix and the cecum and the lower part of the ascending colon

   iliac vein, vena iliaca

   one of three veins draining the pelvic area

   iliolumbar vein, vena iliolumbalis

   a branch of the internal iliac vein

   intercapitular vein, vena intercapitalis

   veins connecting the dorsal and palmar veins of the hand or the dorsal and plantar veins of the foot

   intercostal vein, vena intercostalis

   several veins draining the intercostal spaces of the rib cage

   intervertebral vein, vena intervertebralis

   one of several veins accompanying spinal nerves

   jugular, jugular vein, vena jugularis

   veins in the neck that return blood from the head

   labial vein, vena labialis

   a vein draining the lips of the mouth

   labial vein, vena labialis

   veins draining the lips of the vulva

   internal auditory vein, labyrinthine vein

   veins that drain the inner ear

   lacrimal vein, vena lacrimalis

   drains the lacrimal gland; empties into the superior ophthalmic vein

   laryngeal vein, vena laryngea

   one of two veins draining the larynx

   lingual vein, vena lingualis

   a vein that receives blood from the tongue and the floor of the mouth and empties into the internal jugular or the facial vein

   lumbar vein, vena lumbalis

   veins that drain the posterior body wall and the lumbar vertebral venous plexuses

   maxillary vein, vena maxillaris

   posterior continuation of the pterygoid plexus; joins the superficial temporal vein to form the retromandibular vein

   meningeal veins, venae meningeae

   veins at accompany the meningeal arteries

   mesenteric vein, vena mesenterica

   a tributary of the portal vein passing from the intestine between the two layers of mesentery

   metacarpal vein, vena metacarpus

   dorsal and palmar veins of the hand

   metatarsal vein, vena metatarsus

   dorsal and plantar branches of veins serving the metatarsal region of the foot

   musculophrenic vein, vena musculophrenica

   veins that drain the upper abdominal wall and the lower intercostal spaces and the abdomen

   nasofrontal vein, vena nasofrontalis

   a vein located in the anterior medial part of the orbit; connects the superior ophthalmic with the angular vein

   oblique vein of the left atrium, vena obliqua atrii sinistri

   a tributary of the coronary sinus; on the posterior wall of the left atrium

   obturator vein, vena obturatoria

   a vein formed by the union of tributaries that drain the hip joints and thigh muscles; empties into the internal iliac vein

   occipital vein, vena occipitalis

   a vein that drains the occipital region

   ophthalmic vein, vena ophthalmica

   either of two veins that serve the eye; empties into the cavernous sinus

   ovarian vein, vena ovarica

   one of the veins that drain the ovaries; the right opens into the inferior vena cava; the left opens into the left renal vein

   palatine vein, vena palatina

   a vein that drains the region of the palate and empties into the facial vein

   pancreatic vein, venae pancreatica

   veins draining the pancreas and emptying into the superior mesenteric and splenic veins

   paraumbilical vein, vena paraumbilicalis

   small veins arising in skin around the navel; terminate as accessory portal veins

   parotid vein

   parotid branches of the facial vein; they drain part of the parotid gland and empty into the retromandibular vein

   pectoral vein, vena pectoralis

   veins that drain the pectoral muscles and empty into the subclavian vein

   perforating vein, vena perforantis

   veins that accompany the perforating arteries; drain leg muscles; empty into the deep femoral vein

   pericardial vein, vena pericardiaca

   several small veins from the pericardium

   fibular vein, peroneal vein, vena peroneus

   accompany the peroneal arteries; arising in the heel and running up the back of the leg to join the posterior tibial veins of the popliteal vein

   pharyngeal vein, vena pharyngeus

   veins from the pharyngeal plexus that empty into the internal jugular vein

   phrenic vein, vena phrenica

   either of two veins that drain the diaphragm

   popliteal vein, vena poplitea

   a vein arising in the knee and ascending to become the femoral vein

   hepatic portal vein, portal, portal vein, vena portae

   a short vein that carries blood into the liver

   posterior vein of the left ventricle, vena posterior ventriculi sinistri

   arises near the apex of the heart and empties into the coronary sinus

   prepyloric vein, vena pylorica

   a tributary of the right gastric vein

   pudendal vein, venae pudendum

   vein of the pudendum

   pulmonary vein, vena pulmonalis

   any of four veins that carry arterial blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

   radial vein, vena radialis

   superficial veins ascending the radial side of the forearm; combines with the ulnar veins to form the brachial vein

   renal vein, vena renalis

   veins that accompany renal arteries; open into the vena cava at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra

   sacral vein, vena sacralis

   vein of the sacral region

   saphenous vein, vena saphena

   either of two chief superficial veins of the leg that drain blood from the foot

   scleral veins, venae sclerales

   tributaries of the anterior ciliary veins that drain the sclera of the eye

   scrotal vein, vena scrotalis

   veins passing from the scrotum to the pudendal veins

   sigmoid vein, vena sigmoideus

   tributaries of the inferior mesenteric vein; drains the sigmoid colon

   spinal vein, vena spinalis

   veins that drain the spinal cord

   splenic vein, vena lienalis

   a vein formed by several small veins on the surface of the spleen; joins the superior mesenteric to form the portal vein

   sternocleidomastoid vein, vena sternocleidomastoidea

   drains the sternocleidomastoid muscle; empties into the internal jugular vein

   stylomastoid vein, vena stylomastoidea

   a vein that drains the tympanic cavity and empties into the retromandibular vein

   subclavian vein, vena subclavia

   a continuation of the axillary vein; joins the internal jugular to form the brachiocephalic vein

   sublingual vein, vena sublingualis

   a tributary of the lingual vein

   supraorbital vein, vena supraorbitalis

   drains the front of the scalp; unites with the supratrochlear vein to form the angular vein

   supratrochlear vein, vena supratrochlearis

   drains the front of the scalp; unites with the supraorbital vein to form the angular vein

   temporal vein, vena temporalis

   any of several veins draining the temporal region

   testicular vein, vena testicularis

   a vein from the testicles

   thalamostriate vein

   a vein serving the thalamus and corpus striatum

   thoracoepigastric vein, vena thoracoepigastrica

   a vein arising from the region of the superficial epigastric vein and opening into the axillary vein or thoracic vein

   thoracic vein, vena thoracica

   veins that drain the thoracic walls

   thyroid vein, vena thyroidea

   any of several small veins draining blood from the thyroid area

   tibial vein, vena tibialis

   veins of the lower leg; empty into the popliteal vein

   tracheal vein, vena trachealis

   several small veins from the trachea

   tympanic vein

   veins from the tympanic cavity that empty into the retromandibular vein

   ulnar vein, vena ulnaris

   any of several veins of the forearm

   umbilical vein, vena umbilicalis

   a vein in the umbilical cord; returns nutrient blood from the placenta to the fetus

   uterine vein

   one of two veins on each side that arise from the uterine plexus and empty into the internal iliac vein

   varicose vein

   a vein that is permanently dilated; most common in the legs

   vena bulbi penis

   vein of the head of the penis; tributary of the internal pudendal vein that drains the perineum

   vena canaliculi cochleae

   vein of the cochlear canal

   vein of penis

   a vein serving the penis

   vena bulbi vestibuli

   vein of the vestibular bulb

   vena cava

   either of two large veins that return oxygen-depleted blood to the right atrium of the heart

   venae palpebrales

   veins of the eyelids

   venae interlobulares hepatis

   interlobular veins of the liver

   venae renis

   veins of the kidney; drain the kidney into the renal vein

   vena vertebralis, vertebral vein

   a vein that goes through the foramina of the cervical vertebrae and forms a plexus around the vertebral artery; empties into the brachiocephalic vein

   vena vesicalis, vesical vein

   veins that drain the vesical plexus and join the internal iliac veins

   vena vestibularis, vestibular vein

   veins that drain the saccule and utricle

   vena vorticosum, vortex vein, vorticose vein

   a vein formed by branches from the back surface of the eye and the ciliary body; empties into the ophthalmic veins

   capillary vein, venula, venule

   a minute vein continuous with a capillary

   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

   anterior cerebral vein, vena cerebri anterior

   accompanies the anterior cerebral artery and empties into the basal vein

   anterior facial vein, vena facialis anterior

   a continuation of the angular vein; unites with the retromandibular vein before emptying into the internal jugular vein

   great cerebral vein, vena cerebri magna

   a cerebral vein formed by the two internal cerebral veins and continuing into the sinus rectus

   inferior cerebral vein, venae cerebrum inferior

   veins that drain the undersurface of the cerebral hemispheres and empty into the cavernous and transverse sinuses

   internal cerebral vein, vena cerebrum internus

   two paired veins passing caudally near the midline and uniting to form the great cerebral vein

   middle cerebral vein, vena cerebri media

   either of two cerebral veins

   superior cerebral vein, vena cerebrum superior

   a cerebral vein that drains the dorsal convexity of the cerebral hemisphere and empties into the cavernous sinus

   circumflex iliac vein, vena circumflexa ilium

   accompanies the artery of the same name

   circumflex femoral vein, vena circumflexus femoris

   either of two veins that accompany arteries of the same name serving the hip and thigh

   inferior epigastric vein, vena epigastrica inferior

   empties into the external iliac vein

   superficial epigastric vein, vena epigastrica superficialis

   empties into the great saphenous vein

   superior epigastric veins, venae epigastricae superiores

   veins that accompany the superior epigastric artery

   episcleral veins, venae episclerales

   small veins in the sclera near the corneal margin; empty into the anterior ciliary veins

   hypogastric vein, internal iliac vein

   a vein that unites with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein

   external iliac vein

   a continuation of the femoral vein; unites with the internal iliac vein to form the common iliac vein

   common iliac vein

   formed by the internal and external iliac veins; unites with its fellow from the opposite side of the body to form the inferior vena cava

   anterior jugular vein

   arises below the chin from veins draining the lower face; joins the external jugular vein

   external jugular vein

   formed by the junction of the posterior auricular and the retromandibular veins; empties into the subclavian vein

   internal jugular vein

   a continuation of the sigmoid sinus of the dura mater; joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein

   inferior labial vein, vena labialis inferior

   a tributary of the facial vein that drains the lower lip

   superior labial vein, vena labialis superior

   a tributary of the facial vein that drains the upper lip

   left gastric vein, vena gastrica sinistra

   arises from a union of veins from the gastric cardia; runs in the lesser omentum; empties into the portal vein

   inferior ophthalmic vein

   a vein that drains a venous network in the floor and medial wall of the eye socket

   superior ophthalmic vein

   a vein that begins at the inner angle of the eye socket and passes through the superior orbital fissure to empty into the cavernous sinus

   inferior pulmonary vein, vena pulmanalis inferior

   either of two pulmonary veins (left and right) returning blood from the inferior lobes of the lungs

   superior pulmonary vein, vena pulmonalis superior

   either of two pulmonary veins (left and right) returning blood from the superior lobes of the lungs

   pyloric vein, right gastric vein, vena gastrica-dextra

   receives veins from the upper surfaces of the stomach and empties into the portal vein

   posterior facial vein, retromandibular vein, vena retromandibularis

   posterior branch of the facial vein; formed by temporal veins in front of the ear

   great saphenous vein, long saphenous vein

   the longest vein in the body; runs from foot to the groin where it joins the femoral vein

   short saphenous vein

   a vein running from the foot up the back of the leg to the knee

   stellate venule

   a star-shaped group of venules in the renal cortex

   deep temporal vein

   temporal veins that empty into the pterygoid plexus

   middle temporal vein

   arises near the eye; joins the superficial temporal veins to form the retromandibular vein

   superficial temporal vein

   join the middle temporal vein to empty into the retromandibular vein

   superior thalamostriate vein

   a long vein that helps to form the internal cerebral vein

   inferior thalamostriate vein, striate vein

   tributaries to the basal vein

   inferior thyroid vein

   any of several veins on each side that drain the thyroid gland and empty into the innominate vein

   middle thyroid vein

   a vein on each side that drains the lateral part of the thyroid and empties into the internal jugular vein

   superior thyroid vein

   a vein on each side that drains the upper part of the thyroid and empties into the internal jugular vein

   venae dorsales penis superficiales

   superficial dorsal veins of the penis; paired tributaries of the external pudendal veins on each side

   venae dorsales penis profunda

   deep dorsal vein of the penis; tributary of the prostatic plexus

   vena profunda penis

   deep vein of the penis; enters the prostatic plexus

   inferior vena cava, postcava

   receives blood from lower limbs and abdominal organs and empties into the posterior part of the right atrium of the heart; formed from the union of the two iliac veins

   precava, superior vena cava

   receives blood from the head and arms and chest and empties into the right atrium of the heart; formed from the azygos and both brachiocephalic veins

   venae profundae clitoridis

   deep veins of the clitoris; join the vesical plexus

   vena dorsalis clitoridis profunda

   deep dorsal vein of the clitoris; tributary of the vesical venous plexus

   venae dorsales clitoridis superficiales

   superficial dorsal veins of the clitoris; tributaries of the external pudendal vein on either side

   venae interlobulares renis

   interlobular veins of the kidney; receive blood from the arcuate vein and empty into the renal veins

   anterior labial veins, venae labiales anteriores

   veins from the labia majora to the external pudendal vein

   posterior labial veins, venae labiales posteriores

   veins that pass posterior from the labia majora to the internal pudendal vein

   type of:

   blood vessel

   a vessel in which blood circulates