Superior vena cava

Looks like

A wide, thin-walled vein on the right of the upper chest, emptying into the top of the right atrium.

What it does

Returns blood from the head, neck, arms and chest to the heart.

Keeping it well

Tumours in the chest, usually lung cancer or lymphoma, can squeeze it: a swollen face and arms with widened veins on the chest, worse bending over, needs urgent assessment. Long-term drip lines run into it.

Its parts

• Right brachiocephalic vein
• Left brachiocephalic vein
• Vertebral vein

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders (thrombophilia & APS)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins