Key Difference – Aorta vs Vena Cava
Circulatory system or the cardiovascular system is one of our main organ systems which transport blood, gases, hormones, nutrients throughout the body. Heart, blood, and blood vessels are the main elements of the human cardiovascular system, and it is a closed system in which blood circulates only within the network of tubes which are blood vessels. Blood vessels carry blood to and from the heart to all parts of the body. Blood vessels consist three major types namely, Arteries, Capillaries, and Veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to all the other tissues of the body. Capillaries are the tiny blood vessels which facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes between the blood and the tissues. Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood from the body tissues to the heart. Aorta and Vena Cava are two main blood vessels. Aorta is the main artery which carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the tissues of the body. Vena cava are the two main veins which bring the oxygen poor blood to the right atrium of the heart from upper half and lower half of the body. The key difference between Aorta and Vena Cava is that Aorta is an artery whereas Vena Cava are two large veins.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Aorta
3. What is Vena Cava
4. Similarities Between Aorta and Vena Cava
5. Side by Side Comparison – Aorta vs Vena Cava in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Aorta?
Aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart into the other tissues, organs, muscles and other parts of the body (whole body). Aorta valve starts from the left ventricle. When the heart pumps blood into the aorta, there are three leaflets which open and close to prevent the backflow of blood and direct one-way flow of blood.
Figure 01: Heart
Aorta valve has a thicker wall comprised of several layers to withstand the high blood pressure which it carries. They are intima (the innermost layer), media (the middle layer) and adventitia (outer layer). The intima provides a smooth surface for blood. Media supports the aorta to expand and contract. Adventitia provides additional support and structure to the aorta.
What is Vena Cava?
Vena Cava refers to the large vein which delivers oxygen-poor or deoxygenated blood from the upper and lower halves of the body into the right side of the heart. There are two main veins which mainly bring deoxygenated blood to the heart. They are superior vena cava and inferior vena cava. These two are also known as precava and postcava. Superior vena cava brings oxygen-depleted blood from head, neck, arms and upper body. Inferior vena cava brings oxygen-poor blood from a lower part of the body into the heart.
Figure 02: Vena Cava
Vena cava are large diameter tubes. The blood which carries by the vena cava is darker due to the absence of oxygen. The blood pressure of the vena cava is lower compared to the arteries.
What are the Similarities Between Aorta and Vena Cava?
- Aorta and Vena Cava are blood vessels.
- Both carry blood.
- Both function with the connection of heart.
- Both run throughout the body.
- Both are tube-like structures.
What is the Difference Between Aorta and Vena Cava?
Aorta vs Vena Cava |
|
| Aorta is the largest artery in our body which carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart towards the organs, muscles, and tissues | Vena Cava are the main veins which deliver deoxygenated blood from the lower and upper halves of the body into the right atrium of the heart. |
| Blood Pressure | |
| In Aorta, there is a high blood pressure. | In Vena Cava, there is a low blood pressure. |
| Vessel Walls | |
| Aorta has thicker walls. | Vena Cava has thinner walls. |
| Vessel Lumen | |
| Aorta has a narrow lumen. | Vena Cava has a wider lumen. |
| Blood Composition | |
| The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood. | Vena Cava carries oxygen poor blood. |
| Carrying Blood to or from the Heart | |
| Aorta carries blood away from the heart. | Vena Cava carries blood towards the heart. |
| Muscular Tissue of the Vessel | |
| Aorta is more muscular than vena cava. | Vena Cava is less muscular than the aorta. |
| Connection with the Heart | |
| Aorta starts from the left ventricle of the heart. | Vena cava is connected to the right atrium of the heart. |
| Type of the Vessel | |
| Aorta is an artery. | Vena Cava is a vein. |
Summary – Aorta vs Vena Cava
Arteries and veins are blood vessels which deliver oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from and to the heart respectively. Aorta is the main or the largest artery which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the whole body. Vena cava is the large veins that bring deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart. There are two main vena cava; superior and inferior vena cava. Superior vena cava delivers deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart while inferior vena cava delivers deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body to the heart. The blood pressure of the aorta is high compared to the blood pressure of vena cava. This is the difference between the aorta and vena cava.
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Reference:
1.The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Vena cava.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 10 Oct. 2012. Available here
2.Hoffman, Matthew. “Picture of the Aorta.” WebMD, WebMD. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Diagram of the human heart (cropped)’By Own work, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Relations of the aorta, trachea, esophagus and other heart structures’By ZooFari, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia