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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
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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 23 Nov. 2024.
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
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