EN | DE | PT Get help How to study Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Esophagus Lungs Heart Diaphragm
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneal cavity Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis.
Head and neck
Overview Skull Head Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Teeth Oral cavity Pharynx Neck Nerves and vessels
Neuroanatomy
Cerebrum Subcortical structures Cerebellum and brainstem Ventricles, meninges and blood vessels Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper extremity Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower extremity
Histology
General
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Nervous tissue Muscle tissue Cartilage and bone
Systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Musculoskeletal system Respiratory system Excretory system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphatic system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system
Fetal tissues
Head and neck Trunk and limbs
Medical imaging
Head and neck
Head: Axial CT Brain: Axial MRI T2 Face: Axial MRI T2 Neck: Axial CT
Abdomen and pelvis
Abdomen: Axial MRI T2 Abdomen: Axial CT Female pelvis: Axial CT
Upper extremity
Shoulder: Axial MRI PD Wrist: Axial MRI T1
Lower extremity
Knee: Axial MRI
Thorax
Chest X-ray
AnatomyThoraxHeart
Middle cardiac vein

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Go Premium

Middle cardiac vein: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more. Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver

Middle cardiac vein

Author: Gordana Sendic • Reviewer: Jana Vasković
Last reviewed: October 29, 2020
Reading time: 1 minute

Middle cardiac vein (vena cardiaca media)

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
+ Show all

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?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more. Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver

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
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!