vena cava

Definitions of vena cava

1. noun

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

   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

   type of:

   vein, vena, venous blood vessel

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