The anatomy of the coronary sinus and its tributaries

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.

Study of coronary sinus and its tributaries in pigs

“…In humans its caliber reported at 6.12 mm [5], compared to the caliber this structure proximal anatomical pieces studied 10.9 mm for the proximal and 12.36 mm for distal caliber. The literature mentions that the cs is one of the variables regarding structures' longitude and diameter [15], the shape of this structure has been studied in less detail, however, data in this study are described for cylindrical funnel shape.…”

“…Regarding the cs, it is evidenced that it is one of the structures more fully described, both in humans [5,14,16,17] and pigs [1,4,11]. In humans its caliber reported at 6.12 mm [5], compared to the caliber this structure proximal anatomical pieces studied 10.9 mm for the proximal and 12.36 mm for distal caliber.…”

“…Different reports have been developed to describe the morphology of the coronary venous system and its tributaries in pigs and humans [5][6][7], likewise various techniques have been applied for description [8,9], contributing to the knowledge of the circulatory system of both species.…”

Coronary Vein Extraction in MSCT Volumes Using Minimum Cost Path and Geometrical Moments

“…Finally, the Antero (AV) and Antero-Lateral (ALV) Veins tend to be poorly visible. Those degrees of visibility are also correlated with vessel caliber (measures of the CS and its tributaries can be found in [5]). Indeed, the CS exhibits a big diameter along its trajectory, and becomes smaller to form the Great Vein.…”

“…Another difficulty relates to the close proximity of structures having similar contrast, i.e., cavities and coronary arteries. In addition, the venous anatomy tends to be highly variable from one patient to another [5], i.e., number of branches, location and length. Thus, a primary goal towards planning is to provide an efficient method for extracting coronary veins in MSCT volumes.…”