An anatomical study of the human cardiac veins with special reference to the drainage of the great cardiac vein

S Vinoth^1*, M A Parimelazhagan², S Sivakumar³

¹Associate Professor, ²Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Madha Medical College and Research Institute, Kovur, Thandalam, Chennai-600128, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.

Email: vinothsamy5555@gmail.com

Abstract               Background: The coronary sinus (CS) has become a clinically important structure especially through its role in providing access for different cardiac procedures. Historically, cardiac vascular studies have focused mainly on the coronary artery circulation. Aims and Objectives: anatomical study of the human cardiac veins with special reference to the drainage of the great cardiac vein. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the formalin fixed human cadaveric hearts available in the department of Anatomy at tertiary health care centre six month period i.e. January 2016 to July 2016. The statistical analysis was done by SPSS 19 version software. Result: In our study we have seen that Coronary Sinus formed majority in Great cardiac vein with left marginal vein i.e. 79.17%, Great cardiac vein with oblique vein of left atrium in 12.50%, Great cardiac vein with posterior vein of left ventricle in 8.33 %. In Tributaries of coronary sinus Great cardiac vein present in 22, Left marginal vein-23, Posterior vein of left ventricle-24, Oblique vein of left atrium in 21, Middle cardiac vein-23, Small cardiac vein- 20 cadaveric specimens. As per the Length of coronary sinus sinus in millimeters (Mean± standard deviation) Great cardiac vein with left marginal vein (23 specimens)- 53.82 ± 11.56, Great cardiac vein with posterior vein of left ventricle (5 specimen)-53.06 ± 5.32, Great cardiac vein with oblique vein of left atrium (6 specimen)- 34.52± 7.2. Conclusion: Variation is the law of nature. Every human is unique anatomically to such an extent that even identical twins are not exactly alike so study of these variations is of much value in understanding the heart physiology, clinical knowledge.

Key Words: Cardiac vein, Coronary sinus, Great cardiac vein, drainage of the great cardiac vein.