Difference Between Superior and Inferior Vena Cava

Thekey differencebetween superior and inferior vena cava is thatsuperior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood into theright atrium从身体的上半部进行心脏，而下腔静脉将血液从身体的下部带入心脏的右心房。

高级腔静脉和下腔静脉，统称为“ venae cavae”，是两个最大的veinsthat carry deoxygenated blood from lower and upper halves of the body into the heart. Both deliver blood to the right atrium of the heart. Both these veins do not have valves at the inlet of the right atrium. Furthermore, venae cavae and aorta form thesystemic circuit, which maintains the blood circulation of the head, extremities and abdomen. However, this article mainly focuses on the difference between superior and inferior vena cava.

内容

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What is Superior Vena Cava
3.What is Inferior Vena Cava
4.Similarities Between Superior and Inferior Vena Cava
5.Side by Side Comparison – Superior vs Inferior Vena Cava in Tabular Form
6.概括

What is Superior Vena Cava?

Superior vena cava is a large vein which brings deoxygenated blood into the right atrium of the heart from the upper half of the body, including neck, head and upper limbs. It begins above the heart. Moreover, superior vena cava is formed from the convergence of the left and right brachiocephalic veins, which carry blood from the upper limbs, head, and neck, and azygous vein (which carry blood from the thoracic area).

What is Inferior Vena Cava?

Inferior vena cava is the largest vein in the body, which carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart. It is situated posterior to theabdominal cavity并在腹主动脉旁边奔跑。

左右共同静脉的收敛形成下腔静脉。此外，这种静脉不是中央位置的。因此，有一些不对称的排水模式。

What are the Similarities Between Superior and Inferior Vena Cava?

• Superior and inferior vena cava are two veins.
• They bring deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart.
• Also, both have a wide lumen.
• 而且，它们的墙壁很薄。
• 此外,还有阀门内部两脉prevent the backflow of blood.

What is the Difference Between Superior and Inferior Vena Cava?

Superior vena cava, which brings deoxygenated blood from the upper part of the body to right atrium, is the second largest vein in the body, while inferior vena cava, which brings deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body to the right atrium, is the largest vein in the body. So, this is the key difference between superior and inferior vena cava. Furthermore, inferior vena cava is longer than superior vena cava. Hence, this is also a difference between superior and inferior vena cava.

Moreover, a further difference between superior and inferior vena cava is that superior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from the upper limbs, head, and neck while inferior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from lower limbs, gonads, kidneys and liver.

The below infographic summarizes the difference between superior and inferior vena cava comparatively.

概括– Superior vs Inferior Vena Cava

In brief, superior vena cava and inferior vena cava are two veins that bring deoxygenated blood to the heart. In fact, they bring blood to the right upper chamber of the heart, which is the right atrium. However, the key difference between superior and inferior vena cava is that the superior vena cava collects deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body while inferior vena cava collects deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body.

Reference:

1. “Vena Cava.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 Oct. 2012,Available here.

Image Courtesy:

2.亨利·范迪克·卡特（Henry Vandyke Carter）的“灰色505” - 亨利·格雷（Henry Gray）（1918）人体解剖学（请参阅下面的“书”部分）bartleby.com：灰色的解剖学，板块505（公共领域）Commons Wikimedia