vena cava

noun
ve·​na ca·​va | \ ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və How to pronounce vena cava (audio) \
plural venae cavae\ ˌvē-​(ˌ)nē-​ˈkā-​(ˌ)vē How to pronounce venae cavae (audio) \

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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Other Words from vena cava

vena caval \ ˌvē-​nə-​ˈkā-​vəl How to pronounce vena caval (audio) \ adjective

Examples of vena cava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on 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.

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First Known Use of vena cava

1598, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for vena cava

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

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More Definitions for vena cava

vena cava

noun
ve·​na ca·​va | \ ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və How to pronounce vena cava (audio) \
plural venae cavae\ -​ni-​ˈkā-​(ˌ)vē How to pronounce venae cavae (audio) \

Medical Definition of vena cava

: either of two large veins by which the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart:

Other Words from vena cava

vena caval \ -​vəl How to pronounce vena caval (audio) \ adjective