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 vena cava (audio)
: any of the large veins by which in air-breathing vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart
vena caval adjective

Examples of vena cava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lying on your back puts the weight of your uterus on your inferior vena cava. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024 Compressing either the inferior vena cava or the aorta may decrease blood flow to your baby. Elisa Cinelli, Parents, 2 July 2024 Avoid lying on your right side or flat on your back, which puts the full weight of your uterus on the vena cava. Parents Editors, Parents, 17 Oct. 2023 Cancer may also be found in the bronchus, pleura, diaphragm, chest wall, breastbone, backbone, phrenic nerve, pericardium, vena cava, aorta, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and/or carina (the area where the trachea branches into the bronchi). Lynne Eldridge, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for vena cava 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vena cava.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vena cava was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near vena cava

Cite this Entry

“Vena cava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vena%20cava. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

vena cava

noun
ve·​na ca·​va ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və How to pronounce vena cava (audio)
plural venae cavae ˌvē-ni-ˈkā-vē How to pronounce vena cava (audio)
: one of the large veins by which the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart in an air-breathing vertebrate

Medical Definition

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 vena cava (audio)
: either of two large veins by which the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart:
vena caval adjective

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