The middle cardiac vein, also known as the posterior interventricular vein, is a vessel located on the posterior aspect of the heart. It arises at the cardiac apex and runs within the posterior interventricular groove. It ends by draining into the right atrium via the coronary sinus.
Along with the great and small cardiac veins, the middle cardiac vein constitutes the greater cardiac venous system. The function of the middle cardiac vein is to drain the venous blood of the external layer of the myocardium.
Key facts about the middle cardiac vein
Drains from
Small venules of the apex of heart
Drains to
Coronary sinus
Drainage area
External layer of the myocardium of the ventricles and left atrium
This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the middle cardiac vein.
The middle cardiac vein has a rather short and straightforward course. It emerges from the venules of the apex of the heart. The vein then courses superiorly within the posterior (inferior) interventricular groove, where it accompanies by the posterior interventricular branch of the right coronary artery.
The middle cardiac vein ends by draining into the coronary sinus near its right atrial end.
Explore our articles, quizzes, video tutorials and labelled diagrams to learn more about the arteries and veins of the heart!
Sinnatamby, C. S., & Last, R. J. (2011). Last's anatomy: Regional and applied. (12th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergmans comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.
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