What it means
One of the vessels that return blood from the body to the heart. Most veins carry blood that has given up much of its oxygen; the pulmonary veins are the exception, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs. Veins have thin walls and low pressure, and many have one-way valves, helped by leg muscles, to keep blood moving upward.
For the nurse
Veins are used for blood draws and IV lines. Assess IV sites for redness, swelling, pain or a hard cord along the vein. Moving the legs, walking and compression devices help blood flow in the leg veins and lower the risk of deep vein thrombosisDEEP VAYN throm-BOH-sisA blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.thromb/o clot-osis conditionFull entry .
Remember it
Veins visit the heart; arteries go away.
At a glance
| Spanish | vena |
|---|---|
| Also written | veins, venous |
Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
capillary
One of the tiniest blood vessels, joining the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.
IV
Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.
artery
A blood vessel that takes blood from the heart out to the body.