Posterior cardiac vein

Definition

The posterior cardiac vein is a vessel that drains oxygen-depleted blood from the heart's myocardium (heart muscle) into the coronary sinus, which then empties into the right atrium. It primarily collects blood from the back surface of the heart.

Related terms

Coronary Sinus:

A large vein on the posterior side of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from cardiac veins including the posterior cardiac vein and empties into the right atrium.

Myocardium:

The muscular tissue of the heart that contracts to pump blood through the body; it is supplied with oxygenated blood by coronary arteries and drained by cardiac veins.

Right Atrium:

One of the four chambers of the heart, which receives deoxygenated blood from various parts of the body through veins, including blood from the coronary sinus