Superior vena cava

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Vein: Superior vena cava
Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow.
Latin	v. cava superior
Gray's	subject #172 666
Source	brachiocephalic vein, azygous vein
MeSH	Vena+Cava,+Superior

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Overview

The superior vena cava is a large, yet short vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium.

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, behind the lower border of the first right costal cartilage. The azygous vein (which receives blood from the rib cage) joins it just before it enters the right atrium, at the upper right front portion of the heart.

In the adult, no valve separates the superior vena cava from the right atrium. As a result, the (right) atrial and (right) ventricular contractions are conducted up into the internal jugular vein and, through the sternocleidomastoid muscle, can be seen as the jugular venous pressure. In tricuspid valve regurgitation, these pulsations are very strong.

Additional images

Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins.	Front view of heart and lungs.	Heart seen from above.	Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.
The arch of the aorta, and its branches.	The brachiocephalic veins, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries	The thymus of a full-time fetus, exposed in situ.

See also

• Persistent left superior vena cava
• Superior vena cava syndrome

v • d • e Veins of the torso
Coronary	coronary sinus (great cardiac, left marginal, small cardiac, middle cardiac, posterior of the left ventricle, oblique of the left atrium) • anterior cardiac (right marginal) • pulmonary
Thorax/ SVC	brachiocephalic: inferior thyroid - thymic - internal thoracic (anterior intercostal, superior epigastric) - left superior intercostal - supreme - vertebral - internal jugular - subclavian (axillary: lateral thoracic, thoracoepigastric) - pericardiacophrenic azygos: right superior intercostal - bronchial - intercostal/posterior intercostal 5-11 - accessory hemiazygos/hemiazygos - superior phrenic
Vertebral column	vertebral venous plexuses (external, internal) • spinal (posterior, anterior) • basivertebral • intervertebral
Abdomen/ IVC	to IVC on right and left: renal - hepatic - lumbar to IVC on right, renal vein on left: inferior phrenic - suprarenal - ovarian/testicular (pampiniform plexus) to azygos system: ascending lumbar (subcostal)
Pelvis/common iliac	external iliac: inferior epigastric - deep circumflex iliac vein internal iliac: inferior gluteal - superior gluteal - median sacral vein - lateral sacral - obturator - internal pudendal (inferior rectal) - vesical venous plexus - prostatic venous plexus - deep of penis - vaginal venous plexus - uterine venous plexus - middle rectal - hemorrhoidal
Portal system/ portal vein	splenic: short gastric - left gastroepiploic - pancreatic - inferior mesenteric (superior rectal, left colic) superior mesenteric: right gastroepiploic - pancreaticoduodenal - middle colic - right colic - ileocolic (appendicular) direct (cystic, left gastric, right gastric, paraumbilical)
fetal	ductus venosus • umbilical

v • d • e WikiDoc Research Resources for Superior vena cava
Articles on Superior vena cava	Most recent articles on Superior vena cava • Most cited articles on Superior vena cava • Review articles on Superior vena cava • Articles on Superior vena cava in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Superior vena cava	Powerpoint slides on Superior vena cava • Images of Superior vena cava • Photos of Superior vena cava • Podcasts & MP3s on Superior vena cava • Videos on Superior vena cava
Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Superior vena cava	Cochrane Collaboration on Superior vena cava • Bandolier on Superior vena cava • TRIP on Superior vena cava
Cost Effectiveness of Superior vena cava	Cost Effectiveness of Superior vena cava
Clinical Trials Involving Superior vena cava	Ongoing Trials on Superior vena cava at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Superior vena cava • Clinical Trials on Superior vena cava at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Superior vena cava	US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Superior vena cava • NICE Guidance on Superior vena cava • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Superior vena cava • CDC on Superior vena cava
Textbook Information on Superior vena cava	Books and Textbook Information on Superior vena cava
Pharmacology Resources on Superior vena cava	Dosing of Superior vena cava • Drug interactions with Superior vena cava • Side effects of Superior vena cava • Allergic reactions to Superior vena cava • Overdose information on Superior vena cava • Carcinogenicity information on Superior vena cava • Superior vena cava in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Superior vena cava •
Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Superior vena cava	Genetics of Superior vena cava • Pharmacogenomics of Superior vena cava • Proteomics of Superior vena cava
Newstories on Superior vena cava	Superior vena cava in the news • Be alerted to news on Superior vena cava • News trends on Superior vena cava
Commentary on Superior vena cava	Blogs on Superior vena cava
Patient Resources on Superior vena cava	Patient resources on Superior vena cava • Discussion groups on Superior vena cava • Patient Handouts on Superior vena cava • Directions to Hospitals Treating Superior vena cava • Risk calculators and risk factors for Superior vena cava
Healthcare Provider Resources on Superior vena cava	Symptoms of Superior vena cava • Causes & Risk Factors for Superior vena cava • Diagnostic studies for Superior vena cava • Treatment of Superior vena cava
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Superior vena cava	CME Programs on Superior vena cava
International Resources on Superior vena cava	Superior vena cava en Espanol • Superior vena cava en Francais
Business Resources on Superior vena cava	Superior vena cava in the Marketplace • Patents on Superior vena cava
Informatics Resources on Superior vena cava	List of terms related to Superior vena cava

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