superior vena cava
VeinsWhole bodyFMA4720
Nomenclature
superior vena cava
vena cava superior (Latin)
vena cava superiore (Italian)
Descriptionentry
Large venous trunk collecting blood from the upper half of the body.
Functionentry
Drains head, neck, upper limbs and thoracic wall into the right atrium.
Clinical notes
Compression by mediastinal masses causes superior vena cava syndrome.
Part of
Related structures
Model