Coronary vein

Coronary Vein

Diagram of the coronary arteries and veins. The coronary veins are shown in blue.

The coronary veins are a set of veins that drain deoxygenated blood from the myocardium (heart muscle) back into the right atrium of the heart. They are part of the coronary circulation, which also includes the coronary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

Structure

The coronary veins consist of several main vessels:

• The great cardiac vein runs in the anterior interventricular sulcus and drains blood from the anterior surface of the heart.
• The middle cardiac vein runs in the posterior interventricular sulcus and drains the posterior part of the heart.
• The small cardiac vein runs in the coronary sulcus and drains the right atrium and right ventricle.
• The anterior cardiac veins drain the right ventricle and open directly into the right atrium.
• The Thebesian veins are minute veins in the walls of all four chambers of the heart.

Function

The coronary veins collect deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle and return it to the right atrium. This is part of the cardiac cycle, which ensures a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle and removal of waste products.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the coronary veins can lead to heart failure and other serious conditions. These include coronary artery disease, which can also affect the coronary veins, and coronary sinus disorders.

See also

• Coronary circulation
• Heart
• Vein