Inferior vena cava

What does "Inferior vena cava" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.

Explanation

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart. It's one of the two main veins in the human body, the other being the superior vena cava which carries blood from the upper half of the body. The blood it carries has already delivered its oxygen to the body's cells and is returning to the heart to be sent to the lungs for more oxygen. It's called 'inferior' because it's located below the heart.

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