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Definition of precava - 8 dictionary results

pre⋅ca⋅va

  [pree-key-vuh, -kah-]
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–noun, plural -ca⋅vae  [-key-vee, -kah-vahy] .
1. See under vena cava.
2. (in squids) either of a pair of veins that pass through the kidney to the branchial heart.
Origin:
1865–70; pre- + ( vena ) cava

Related forms:
pre⋅ca⋅val, adjective

superior vena cava

 
–noun, plural superior venae cavae.
See under vena cava.
Also called precava.

Origin:
1905–10

ve⋅na ca⋅va

  [vee-nuh key-vuh]
–noun, plural ve⋅nae ca⋅vae  [vee-nee key-vee] . Anatomy.
either of two large veins discharging blood into the right atrium of the heart, one (superior vena cava or precava) conveying blood from the head, chest, and upper extremities and the other (inferior vena cava or postcava) conveying blood from all parts below the diaphragm.

Origin:
1590–1600; < L vēna cava hollow vein
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: superior vena cava
Function: noun
: a vein that is the second largest vein in the human body, is formed by the union of the two brachiocephalic veins at thelevel of the space between the first two ribs, and returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from the upper half of the body

Main Entry: ve·na ca·va
Pronunciation: "vE-n&-'kA-v&
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ve·nae ca·vae /-ni-'kA-(")vE/
: either of two large veins by which the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart: a : INFERIOR VENA CAVA b : SUPERIORVENA CAVA —vena ca·val /-v&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

precava pre·ca·va (prē-kā'və, -kä'-)
n. pl pre·ca·vae (-vē)
See superior vena cava.

pre·ca'val adj.

superior vena cava n.
A large vein formed by the union of the two brachiocephalic veins and the azygos vein that receives blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and chest, and empties into the right atrium of the heart. Also called precava.

vena cava vena ca·va (kā'və)
n. pl. venae ca·vae (kā'vē)
Either of the two venae cavae, designated inferior and superior. Also called cava.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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