Superior vena cava

Superior vena cava

• Superior vena cava is a large venous channel which collects blood from the upper half of the body and drain into the right atrium.
• Superior vena cava is about 7cm long.
• It is formed by the union of the right and left brachiocephalic or innominate veins.
• It begins behind the lower border of the first right costal cartilage close to the sternum.
• It terminates by the opening into the upper part of the right atrium behind the third right costal cartilage.
• It has no valves.

Superior vena cava and it's relations

Relations

Anterior

• Chest wall.
• Internal thoracic vessels.
• Anterior margin of the right lung and pleura.
• The vessel is covered by pericardium in its lower half.

Posterior

• Trachea
• Right vagus
• Root of the right lung

Medial

• Ascending aorta
• Brachiocephalic artery

Lateral

• Right phrenic nerve and vessels
• Right pleura and lung

Tributaries of the superior vena cava

1. Azygos vein ( at the level of second costal cartilage ).
2. Several small mediastinal and pericardial veins drain into the vena cava.

Applied anatomy

1. Obstruction of superior vena cava above the opening of the azygos vein.
2. Obstruction of the superior vena cava below the opening of the azygos vein.
3. Obstruction of the superior vena cava is indicates the mediastinal syndrome.

Image copied from BD Chourasia book