| cardinal vein | (n) any of the major venous channels in primitive adult vertebrates and in embryos of higher vertebrates |
| anterior cardinal vein | (n) a major drainage channel from the cephalic part of the body |
| common cardinal vein | (n) the major return channels to the heart; formed by anastomosis of the anterior and posterior cardinal veins |
| posterior cardinal vein | (n) a major drainage channel from the caudal part of the body |