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AnatomyThoraxHeart
Middle cardiac vein

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Middle cardiac vein

Author: Gordana Sendic • Reviewer: Jana Vasković • Last reviewed: July 08, 2020

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.

Contents
  1. Anatomy and course
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Anatomy and course

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!

Coronary arteries and cardiac veins Explore study unit

Middle cardiac vein: want to learn more about it?

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Show references

References:

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41tst ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • 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.

Illustrations:

  • Middle cardiac vein (vena cardiaca media) - Yousun Koh
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