inferior vena cava
noun
See under vena cava.
Also called
postcava.
Origin of inferior vena cava
First recorded in 1830–40
Words nearby inferior vena cava
Definition for inferior vena cava (2 of 2)
vena cava
[ vee-nuh key-vuh ]
/ ˈvi nə ˈkeɪ və /
noun, plural ve·nae ca·vae [vee-nee key-vee] /ˈvi ni ˈkeɪ vi/. Anatomy.
either of two large veins discharging blood into the right atrium of the heart, one (superior vena cava or precava) conveying blood from the head, chest, and upper extremities and the other (inferior vena cava or postcava) conveying blood from all parts below the diaphragm.
Origin of vena cava
First recorded in 1590–1600,
vena cava is from the Latin word
vēna cava hollow vein
British Dictionary definitions for inferior vena cava
vena cava
/ (ˈkeɪvə) /
noun plural venae cavae (ˈkeɪviː)
either one of the two large veins that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart
Word Origin for vena cava
Latin: hollow vein
Medical definitions for inferior vena cava (1 of 2)
inferior vena cava
n.
A large vein formed by the union of the two common iliac veins that receives blood from the lower limbs and the pelvic and abdominal viscera and empties into the right atrium of the heart.
postcava
Medical definitions for inferior vena cava (2 of 2)
vena cava
[ kā′və ]
n. pl. venae ca•vae (kā′vē)
Either of the two venae cavae, designated inferior and superior.
cava
Scientific definitions for inferior vena cava
vena cava
[ vē′nə kā′və ]
Plural venae cavae (vē′nē kā′vē)
Either of two large veins that carry blood with low levels of oxygen to the right atrium of the heart.♦ The superior vena cava receives blood from the brain and upper limbs or forelimbs.♦ The inferior vena cava drains blood from the trunk and lower limbs or hindlimbs and is the largest vein in the body.