The superior vena cava (also known as the anterior vena cava) is a large but short vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper half of the body into the heart. The vein connects to the heart at a valve attached to the right atrium. In the other direction the vein quickly branches into the left and right brachiocephalic veins (the innominate veins) which receive blood from the arms and the head.

The vein that carries de-oxyginated blood from the lower half of the body is the inferior vena cava.