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superior vena cava
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Illustration of a human heart in cross section, showing labeled chambers, valves, and major blood vessels including the aorta, pulmonary trunk, vena cavae, atria, and ventricles. Silhouette diagram of the human body highlighting the heart and major blood vessels, with labeled arteries in red and veins in blue to show the structure of the cardiovascular system. Diagram of the human circulatory system showing major arteries in red and veins in blue, with labeled pathways for arterial supply and venous drainage to organs including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, and lower limbs. Illustration of a human heart cross-section showing four chambers-left and right atria and ventricles-with labeled major blood vessels. An inset highlights cardiac muscle tissue, showing myocytes and intercalated disks.
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superior vena cava

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Illustration of a human heart in cross section, showing labeled chambers, valves, and major blood vessels including the aorta, pulmonary trunk, vena cavae, atria, and ventricles.
The human heart The four chambers of the human heart shown in cross section.

The superior vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and left brachiocephalic veins, which collect blood from the head, neck, and arms. This vein also receives blood from the upper spine and chest wall. The superior vena cava extends about 7 cm (2.7 inches) before entering the heart and does not have a valve at its opening. In air-breathing vertebrates, including humans, the vena cavae are the major veins delivering deoxygenated blood to the heart's right side.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. vena cava
  2. superior vena cava
  3. human cardiovascular system - Inferior vena cava and its tributaries

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