Great cardiac vein

Definition

The great cardiac vein is a major blood vessel in the heart that collects oxygen-depleted blood from the heart muscle (myocardium) and directs it towards the coronary sinus, which then empties into the right atrium. It runs in the anterior interventricular sulcus alongside the left anterior descending artery.

Related terms

Coronary Sinus:

A large venous channel that receives blood from the heart's veins (including the great cardiac vein) and empties it into the right atrium.

Myocardium:

The muscular tissue of the heart, which contracts to pump blood through the circulatory system.

Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD): A critical artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to much of the front of the heart, including portions that are drained by the great cardiac vein