-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
vena cava
noun
ve·na ca·va
ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və
plural venae cavae
ˌvē-(ˌ)nē-ˈkā-(ˌ)vē
: any of the large veins by which in air-breathing vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart
Examples of vena cava in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vena cava is the largest vein in the body, carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart from the upper body parts (superior vena cava) and lower body parts (inferior vena cava).
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Sleeping or resting in this position may compress the inferior vena cava, a major vein that returns blood from your lower body to your heart.
—Elisa Cinelli, Parents, 2 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for vena cava
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
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 2 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
vena cava
noun
ve·na ca·va
ˌvē-nə-ˈkā-və
plural venae cavae
ˌvē-ni-ˈkā-vē
: 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
plural venae cavae
-ni-ˈkā-(ˌ)vē
: either of two large veins by which the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart:
More from Merriam-Webster on vena cava
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vena cava
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share