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

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.

Origin and Etymology of vena cava

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

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First Known Use: 1598

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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

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vena cava

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vena caval

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Origin and Etymology of vena cava

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vena cava

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vena caval

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