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vena cava

noun ve·na ca·va \ ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və \

Definition of vena cava

plural venae cavae play \ˌvē-(ˌ)nē-ˈkā-(ˌ)vē\
: any of the large veins by which in air-breathing vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart
—

vena caval

play \ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-vəl\ adjective

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Recent Examples of vena cava from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of vena cava

borrowed from Medieval Latin vēna cava, literally, "hollow vein," translation of Greek phlèps koílē

Medical Dictionary

vena cava

noun ve·na ca·va \ ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və \

medical Definition of vena cava

plural venae cavae play \-ni-ˈkā-(ˌ)vē\
: either of two large veins by which the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart:
a : inferior vena cava
b : superior vena cava
—

vena caval

play \-vəl\ adjective

Learn More about vena cava

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vena cava

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