The term "vena cava" refers to two large veins in the human body: the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava.
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Superior Vena Cava (SVC): This vein is responsible for collecting deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body, including the head, neck, arms, and chest. It transports this blood back to the right atrium of the heart.
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Inferior Vena Cava (IVC): This vein collects deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body, including the abdomen, pelvis, and legs, and also delivers it to the right atrium of the heart.
Together, the venae cavae play a crucial role in the circulatory system by returning deoxygenated blood to the heart, where it can be sent to the lungs for oxygenation.