superior vena cava

noun

: the branch of the vena cava of a vertebrate that brings blood back from the head and anterior part of the body to the heart

Examples of superior vena cava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One large vein that can get pressed on and back up with blood is the superior vena cava, which passes the right lung as the vein carries blood from the head to the heart. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 7 Aug. 2024

This disrupted blood supply is known as superior vena cava syndrome, which causes facial swelling and bulging veins.3 Meanwhile, nerve damage due to the progress of NSCLC can cause Horner’s syndrome. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 7 Aug. 2024

The inferior vena cava and superior vena cava carry blood to the heart. —Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, 1 Nov. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

superior vena cava

noun

: the branch of the vena cava that returns blood to the heart from the upper or front part of the body including the head and front limbs

Medical Definition

superior vena cava

noun

: a vein that is the second largest vein in the human body, is formed by the union of the two brachiocephalic veins at the level of the space between the first two ribs, and returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from the upper half of the body