vena cava

noun

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ve·na ca·va | \ ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və

plural venae cavae\ ˌvē-(ˌ)nē-ˈkā-(ˌ)vē

Definition of vena cava

: any of the large veins by which in air-breathing vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart

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Examples of vena cava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The bullet struck Oswald’s aorta and a large torso vein known as the inferior vena cava, Dr. McClelland said, causing extensive blood loss. — Richard Sandomir, New York Times, "Dr. Robert McClelland, Who Tried to Save President Kennedy, Dies at 89," 24 Sep. 2019 The inferior vena cava and superior vena cava carry blood to the heart. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Heart & Hustle: Layne 'The Train' Todd keeps rolling at CNE," 1 Nov. 2017 The medical mystery Layne Todd was born without an inferior vena cava. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Heart & Hustle: Layne 'The Train' Todd keeps rolling at CNE," 1 Nov. 2017 However the blood flow and diameter of the inferior vena cava were reduced when lying on their backs. — Amanda Ross-white, CNN, "Two simple ways to lower odds of stillbirth," 16 Oct. 2017 This takes pressure off of your inferior vena cava, a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from your lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart, and may help reduce swelling. — Korin Miller, SELF, "You Won't Believe How Swollen This Woman's Feet Got During Her Pregnancy," 21 Sep. 2017 It would be connected to the patient’s vena cava—a large vein carrying blood into the heart—through a cannula, or tube, inserted in the jugular vein in the throat. — Randy Rieland, Smithsonian, "An Artificial Lung That Fits In a Backpack," 7 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vena cava.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.