Health Dictionary
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Venae cavae
Introduction
Overview
The superior and inferior vena cava are collectively called the venae cavae. They are the veins that return de-oxygenated blood from the body into the heart. They both empty into the right atrium.
The inferior vena cava (or posterior vena cava) travels up alongside the abdominal aorta with blood from the lower part of the body.
The superior vena cava (or anterior) is above the heart, and forms from a convergence of the left and right brachiocephalic veins that contain blood from the head and the arms. The vena cavae carry deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium of the heart.
The venae cavae is the largest blood vessel in the heart.
de:Hohlvene
eu:Kaba zain
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nl:Holle lichaamsader
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]