Superior vena cava

Superior vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium. It is one of the two main veins bringing blood back to the heart, the other being the inferior vena cava which carries blood from the lower half of the body.

Structure

The superior vena cava is a large, yet short, vein located in the upper chest, which receives blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and chest. It is formed by the left and right brachiocephalic veins (also referred to as the innominate veins) which receive blood from the upper limbs and the head and neck.

Function

The primary function of the superior vena cava is to return deoxygenated blood from the body's upper half to the heart. The blood is then pumped by the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Clinical significance

The superior vena cava can be compressed by diseases such as lung cancer, lymphoma, other tumors in the chest, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and superior vena cava syndrome. This can lead to superior vena cava obstruction.

See also

• Inferior vena cava
• Heart
• Vein
• Superior vena cava syndrome

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