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Your superior vena cava and inferior vena cava include:
- Endothelial cells (manage nutrient exchange with tissues).
- Connective (supporting) tissue.
- Nerve fibers.
- Elastic fibers.
- Muscle tissue.
What function does the vena cava serve?
- Left superior: drains the left upper lobe
- Left inferior: drains the left lower lobe
- Right superior: drains the right upper and middle lobes
- Right inferior: drains the right lower lobe
What is the function of the left inferior pulmonary vein?
aorta: The great artery which carries the blood from the heart into systemic circulation. venae cavae: The two large vessels, the superior and inferior vena cava, that bring deoxygenated blood from systemic circulation to the heart.
What does aorta and Vena Cava do?
Superior vena cava. The superior vena cava ( SVC) is the superior of the two venae cavae, the great venous trunks that return deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation to the right atrium of the heart. It is a large-diameter (24 mm) short length vein that receives venous return from the upper half of the body, above the diaphragm.
What does supeior vena cava mean?

What is the function of the inferior vena cava quizlet?
The inferior vena cava carries oxygen-poor blood from the lower parts of your body. carries oxygen-rich (oxygenated) blood returning from the lungs and back to the body tissues to supply oxygen.
What does the inferior vena cava supply?
The inferior vena cava (also known as IVC or the posterior vena cava) is a large vein that carries blood from the torso and lower body to the right side of the heart. From there the blood is pumped to the lungs to get oxygen before going to the left side of the heart to be pumped back out to the body.
What is the function of the vena cava in the heart?
The vena cava plays a vital role in helping to circulate deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body, draining it into the heart, so the blood can continue to the lungs to be reoxygenated.
What is the function of inferior vena cava in kidney?
The main blood vessel that carries blood from the kidney and ureter to the inferior vena cava (a large vein that carries blood to the heart from the lower part of the body).
What is the function of inferior and superior vena cava?
Your inferior vena cava, your body's largest vein, carries oxygen-depleted blood back to your heart from the lower part of your body (below your diaphragm). Your superior vena cava, your second biggest vein, brings oxygen-poor blood from your upper body to your heart.
What happens if the inferior vena cava is blocked?
Blockage of blood flow through the vena cava, which can cause leg swelling. A filter that travels to the heart or lungs, causing injury or death. A filter that pierces through the inferior vena cava, causing pain or damage to other organs.
Where does blood in inferior vena cava flow to?
right atriumThe inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart.
Where does blood go from the inferior vena cava?
Both the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava empty blood into the right atrium. Blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. It then flows through the pulmonic valve into the pulmonary artery before being delivered to the lungs.
Where does inferior vena cava drain?
The inferior vena cava (IVC) (plural: inferior venae cavae) drains venous blood from the lower trunk, abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs to the right atrium of the heart.
Does the inferior vena cava carry oxygenated blood?
Vena Cavae The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the tissues below the diaphragm.
Is the inferior vena cava connected to the kidneys?
The renal veins are veins that drain the kidney. They connect the kidney to the inferior vena cava. They carry the blood filtered by the kidney.
What vein drains the kidney?
Renal veinThe renal vein is an asymmetrically paired vessel that carries the deoxygenated blood from the kidney to the inferior vena cava.
Where does blood go from the inferior vena cava?
Both the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava empty blood into the right atrium. Blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. It then flows through the pulmonic valve into the pulmonary artery before being delivered to the lungs.
Does the inferior vena cava carry oxygenated blood?
Vena Cavae The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the tissues below the diaphragm.
Can you live without an inferior vena cava?
In patients without an IVC, there is blood supply to the leg but no drainage. Those who suffer symptoms are usually put on blood thinners, told to wear compression socks, and sent home to live with what can become a debilitating condition. Others may undergo an invasive surgery to try to correct the condition.
Where does the inferior vena cava receive blood from?
The inferior vena cava is a large, valveless, venous trunk that receives blood from the legs, the back, and the walls and contents of the abdomen and pelvis.
Why is inferior vena cava important?
The inferior vena cava anatomy is essential due to the vein’s great drainage area, which also makes it a hot topic for anatomy exams. For that reason, this page will cover the IVC anatomy in a way that’s easy to read and understand. Key facts. Definition and function.
Where is the inferior vena cava located?
Inferior vena cava. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the largest vein of the human body. It is located at the posterior abdominal wall on the right side of the aorta. The IVC’s function is to carry the venous blood from the lower limbs and abdominopelvic region to the heart . The inferior vena cava anatomy is essential due to ...
What is the thrombosis of the inferior vena cava?
Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVCT) is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) impedes the blood flow through the IVC. The thrombus can be formed within the IVC itself, which is rare, or, more commonly, travel from the deep veins of the legs in a condition called deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
What is the name of the vessel that opens when the portal vein is obstructed?
Specialized vessels called the portocaval (portosystemic) anastomoses open if the hepatic portal vein is obstructed. The intestinal blood then bypasses the liver and empties into the IVC directly. In cases where the IVC is occluded, the collateral vessels to the superior vena cava open.
What vessels communicate with the inferior vena cava?
The inferior vena cava communicates with the superior vena cava through the collateral vessels, which include the azygos vein, lumbar veins, and vertebral venous plexuses. Inferior vena cava in a cadaver. Notice how the largest tributaries are the left and right renal veins.
What is IVCT in a scrotum?
IVCT presents with symptoms of venous obstruction, such as pain and swelling of lower limbs and scrotum. IVCT is diagnosed by ultrasound, CT,and MRI.
Which veins carry blood to the liver?
The veins of the stomach, spleen, pancreas, small and large intestines first empty into the hepatic portal vein. The hepatic portal vein carries this blood to the liver to be processed and detoxified. Then, the blood reaches the IVC through the hepatic veins. The inferior vena cava communicates with the superior vena cava through ...
What is the largest vein in the human body?
Inferior vena cava. The inferior vena cava is also referred to as the posterior vena cava. It’s the largest vein in the human body. The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.
What is the name of the vein that transports deoxygenated blood to the heart?
Once the iliac veins have merged, they form the inferior vena cava, which transports the deoxygenated blood to the heart. Last medically reviewed on February 20, 2020.
Which organ carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart?
The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.
What is the result of two major leg veins coming together?
The inferior vena cava is the result of two major leg veins coming together. These leg veins are called iliac veins. The iliac veins come together at the small of the back, at the fifth lumbar vertebra. Once the iliac veins have merged, they form the inferior vena cava, which transports the deoxygenated blood to the heart.
What is the purpose of the superior and inferior vena cava?
The superior and inferior vena cava are both large veins of the body, responsible for returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart at the point of the right atrium. The superior vena cava collects blood from aspects of the body above the diaphragm, while the inferior vena cava collects blood from below the diaphragm. The inferior vena cava is both much longer and much wider than the superior vena cava. Both vessels return blood to the heart so it may once again become oxygenated and moved back into the wider circulatory system and tissues of the body. The heart has its own circulatory system responsible for supplying the myocardium with oxygenated blood and removing the deoxygenated blood. The middle cardiac vein is one vessel of the venous part of this system and collects deoxygenated blood from the ventricles and ventricular septum. This vessel empties into the coronary sinus, which is a larger vessel in the posterior aspect of the heart. It returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
What is the function of the superior vena cava?
The function of the superior vena cava is to return deoxygenated blood from the upper portion of the body to the heart. After the heart oxygenates the blood and moves it through the peripheral circulation via arteries and capillaries, the venous system collects the deoxygenated blood to begin the cycle again. The superior vena cava collects blood from many other smaller veins including the brachiocephalic veins, jugular veins, azygos veins, and subclavian veins amongst others. The blood then travels through the short and thin-walled superior vena cava inferiorly where it joins the heart at the right atrium depositing the deoxygenated blood. As the blood circulates through the heart it again becomes oxygenated and returns to the tissues.
Which part of the body carries deoxygenated blood to the right atrium?
The superior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the upper portion of the body (including the head, neck, arms, and chest) to the right atrium of the heart.
Where is the superior vena cava located?
The superior vena cava originates at the junction of the right and left brachiocephalic veins, ve ins that collect deoxygenated blood from smaller vessels in the head and chest. From there, the superior vena cava travels down toward the heart in a vertical fashion. It is located anterior to the spine, posterior to the ribcage, and to the right of both the aorta and the trachea. When the superior vena reaches the level of the heart, it becomes protected by the pericardium and merges at the right atrium. There is no valve located between the superior vena cava and the right atrium of the heart.
Which blood vessels return deoxygenated blood to the heart?
The superior and inferior vena cava are major blood vessels responsible for returning deoxygenated blood to the heart. The superior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the upper portion of the body including the head, neck, arms, and chest while the inferior vena cava returns blood to the heart from the lower portion of the body including the abdomen, pelvis, legs, and feet. Both vessels return blood at the right atrium, however, the superior vena cava meets this heart chamber from above, while the inferior vena cava joins it from a posterior and inferior position.
What is the heart muscle?
Heart muscle tissue, or myocardium, is similar to other tissues of the body in that it also uses oxygenated blood and creates deoxygenated blood. To supply oxygenated blood and remove deoxygenated blood, the heart has its own set of circulatory vessels known as coronary circulation or coronary vasculature. One such vessel is the middle cardiac vein. The middle cardiac vein is part of the coronary circulation responsible for collecting deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle of both the right and left ventricle as well as the ventricular septum tissues and returning it to the coronary sinus. The middle cardiac vein originates at the apex, or the inferior point, of the heart. From the apex, the vessel then travels superiorly through the posterior longitudinal sulcus before depositing the deoxygenated blood into the coronary sinus of the heart.
What is the inferior vena cava?
The inferior vena cava is a large vein in the middle of your body. The device is put in during a short surgery. Veins are the blood vessels that bring oxygen-poor blood and waste products back to the heart. Arteries are the blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the body.
Why might I need an inferior vena cava filter placement?
You might need an IVC filter if you have a high risk of getting a DVT. Anything that slows the movement of blood through your veins increases your risk of DVT. A variety of conditions can increase your chance of getting a DVT, such as:
What is an IVC filter?
An IVC filter is one method to help prevent pulmonary embolism. Your inferior vena cava (IVC) is the major vein that brings oxygen-poor blood from the lower body back to the heart. The heart then pumps the blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. An IVC filter is a small, wiry device. When the filter is placed in your IVC, ...
What causes a leg vein to break free?
In some cases, a deep clot in a leg vein can break free and stick in a vessel in the lung. This can cause a blockage in the vessel called a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can cause severe shortness of breath and even sudden death. An IVC filter is one method to help prevent pulmonary embolism.
How does an IVC filter work?
An IVC filter is a small, wiry device. When the filter is placed in your IVC, the blood flows past the filter. The filter catches blood clots and stops them from moving up to the heart and lungs. This helps to prevent a pulmonary embolism. The IVC filter is placed through a small incision in a vein in your groin or neck.
What are the risks of a vena cava filter?
The risks of this procedure include: Blockage of blood flow through the vena cava, which can cause leg swelling. A filter that travels to the heart or lungs, causing injury or death. A filter that pierces through the inferior vena cava, causing pain or damage to other organs.
What happens when blood flows slowly through the veins?
When blood flows very slowly through the veins, this increases the risk that cells in the blood will stick together and form a clot. DVT is a serious medical condition that can cause swelling, pain, and tenderness in your leg. In some cases, a deep clot in a leg vein can break free and stick in a vessel in the lung.
