What it means
A direction word in anatomy meaning toward the feet or the lower part of a structure. The opposite is superior (toward the head). The knees are inferior to the hips, and the inferior vena cavain-FEER-ee-er VEE-nuh KAY-vuhThe large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the right atrium of the heart.inferior lowervena veincava hollowFull entry returns blood from the lower half of the body. An inferior myocardial infarction is damage to the bottom wall of the heart.
At a glance
| Spanish | inferior |
|---|---|
| Also written | inferiorly |
Related terms
superficial
Near or on the surface of the body or of a structure.
inferior vena cava
The large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the right atrium of the heart.
superior vena cava
The large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms and upper chest back to the right atrium of the heart.
medial
Toward the middle line of the body.