Vena Cava
This section is about
Structures of the Heart
The vena cava is a term that refers to either of the two main veins that transport deoxygenated blood from all of the veins throughout the body to the right atrium of the heart. These two veins may be referred to collectively using the pural form of "vena cava", which is "venae cavae".
Individually, these two veins are:
- The superior vena cava which drains blood from the head, neck, thorax, and arms.
- The inferior vena cava which drains blood from all parts of the body below the diaphragm, including the feet, legs, reproductive, and the lower-abdominal organs.
For a diagram showing the positions of the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava relative to the positions of other major veins and arteries, see the page about Systemic Circulation.
More about the heart and blood circulation:
See the following for more about the heart, blood, blood circulation, disorders of the blood circulation system, and related topics.
- The Structure of the Heart
- The Functions of the Heart
- Systemic Circulation (i.e. blood flow around the body beyond the heart and lungs)
- Pulmonary Circulation (i.e. blood flow through the heart and lungs)
- Heart Conditions, heart problems and disorders, both chronic and acute
- Heart Disease Risk Factors, avoidable and unavoidable
- Discoveries about the circulatory system and how it works
- Books about heart disease.
The following might also be of interest:
