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The anatomy of the coronary sinus and its tributaries
J R Ortale1, E A Gabriel, C Iost
1Institute of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, PUCCAMP-Av. John Boyd Dunlop s/no., Jardim Ipaussurama, Caixa Postal 1111, CEP 13059-740, Campinas, SP, Brasil.
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Anatomical study of human cadaveric hearts reveals variations in coronary sinus tributaries and their relationship with coronary arteries. Findings detail vein anastomoses, myocardial bridges, and the great cardiac vein
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Human Anatomy
- Cardiac Morphology
Background:
- The coronary sinus and its tributaries are crucial for cardiac venous drainage.
- Understanding their anatomical variations is essential for cardiovascular procedures and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anatomical variations of the coronary sinus and its tributaries in adult human cadaveric hearts.
- To describe the relationships between cardiac veins and coronary arteries.
Main Methods:
- Anatomical dissection of 37 adult human cadaveric hearts.
- Formalin fixation of specimens for preservation.
Main Results:
- Anastomosis between anterior and posterior interventricular veins observed in 19% of specimens.
- Myocardial bridges detected in 8% of specimens.
- Great cardiac vein formed the arteriovenous trigone with left coronary artery branches in 89% of cases; veins were superficial to arteries in 73%.
Conclusions:
- Significant anatomical variations exist in the coronary sinus system and its relationship with coronary arteries.
- These findings contribute to a better understanding of cardiac venous anatomy and potential implications for interventions.
Abstract:
The coronary sinus and its tributaries were studied by anatomical dissection in 37 adult human cadaveric hearts, which had been fixed in formalin solution. An anastomosis of approximately 1.0 mm in calibre was observed between the anterior and posterior interventricular veins in 19% of specimens. Myocardial bridges were detected above the anterior interventricular vein or its tributaries in 8% of specimens. The great cardiac vein formed the base of the arteriovenous trigone of Brocq and Mouchet with the bifurcating branches of the left coronary artery in 89% of specimens and formed an angle accompanying these arterial branches in 11%. In the trigone the anterior interventricular and great cardiac veins were superficial to the arteries in 73% of specimens. The left marginal vein was present in 97% of specimens, emptying into the great cardiac vein in 81% of cases and into the coronary sinus in the remaining 19%. The small cardiac vein was present in 54% of specimens. In the coronary sulcus the great cardiac vein was adjacent to the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery in 76% of specimens and to the right coronary artery in 5%: in 19% there was no relationship with either artery. The coronary sinus maintained a relationship with the right coronary artery in 46% of specimens and with the left coronary artery in 32%: in 22% it had no relationship with these vessels.