Venae cavae

The vena cava are two large veins which carry venous blood from the body back to the right atrium.

There are

  • Superior vena cava ( superior vena cava, in the animals as anterior vena cava, inferior vena cava cranial called ) that drains the blood of all structures above the diaphragm and the
  • Inferior vena cava ( inferior vena cava, in the animals as a rear vena cava, inferior vena cava, called ) that drains the blood of situated below the diaphragm body sections.

The vena cava in man a changing cross-section depending on body position and intravascular fluid volume of about 2 cm wide. The venous blood pressure in the vena cava is approximately 0-15 mm Hg ( 0-20 mbar → Central venous pressure ).

The vein cava arises from the fusion of paired (right and left of the spine) applied Subkardinalvenen. Accordingly, normal variants are possible. The left-sided location vena cava is the most common, often resulting in the vena hemiazygos. Agenesis or partial agenesis of the inferior vena cava are rare and go with an increased tendency to venous thrombosis associated.

The vena cava can explore well with catheters. They also can be displayed and judged as good with various imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography or venography.

The vena cava may be closed thrombotic or tumorous or compressed from the outside.

  • Vein
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