Superior Vena cava

• Origin and course
  • Formed by the union of left and right brachiocephalic veins at the level of right first cartilage
  • 5-7 cm long
  • Drains into right atrium
• Tributaries
  • Azygous
• Relationship
  • Medially 
    • Trachea
    • Brachiocephalic artery
    • Aorta
  • Laterally right lung
  • Posteriorly 
    • Azygous vein enters SVC above RUL bronchus
    • Right pulmonary artery
  • Anteriorly mediastinal fat
• Drains
  • Head
  • Upper extremities

Appearance in

• CXR PA view
• CXR Lateral View
• Nuclear Medicine angiogram
• Venogram
• CT angiogram