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
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 
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.
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
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 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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:
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share