Word parts
What it means
A short, wide vein in the upper chest that collects oxygen-poor blood from the upper body and empties it into the right atriumAY-tree-umOne of the two upper chambers of the heart, which receive blood coming back to the heart.atri/o atrium-um noun endingFull entry . The tip of a central venous catheter or PICC line usually sits in the lower part of it. When a tumor or clot blocks it (superior vena cava syndrome), the face, neck and arms swell.
For the nurse
Swelling of the face and neck, distended neck and chest veins and shortness of breath in a client with lung cancer or a central line can mean superior vena cava syndrome; report it at once.
At a glance
| Spanish | vena cava superior |
|---|---|
| Also written | SVC |
Related terms
vein
A blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart.
atrium
One of the two upper chambers of the heart, which receive blood coming back to the heart.
inferior vena cava
The large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the right atrium of the heart.
venous return
The flow of blood back to the heart through the veins.