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 (~7 cm) vein that receives venous return from the upper half of the body, above the diaphragm. Venous return from the lower half, below the diaphragm, flows through the inferior vena cava. The SVC is located in the anterior right superior mediastinum. It is the typical site of central venous access via a central venous catheter or a peripherally inserted central catheter. Mentions of "the cava" without further specification usually refer to the SVC.
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👉 Superior vena cava in the context of Great vessels
Great vessels are the large vessels that bring blood to and from the heart. These are:
Transposition of the great vessels is a group of congenital heart defects involving an abnormal spatial arrangement of any of the great vessels.
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Superior vena cava in the context of Jugular vein
The jugular veins (Latin: Venae iugulares) are veins that take blood from the head back to the heart via the superior vena cava. The internal jugular vein descends next to the internal carotid artery and continues posteriorly to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.