The great cardiac vein (left coronary vein) is a vein of the heart. It begins at the apex of the heart and ascends along the anterior interventricular sulcus before joining the oblique vein of the left atrium to form the coronary sinus upon the posterior surface of the heart.

Anatomy

Course

The great cardiac vein ascends along the anterior interventricular sulcus to the base of the ventricles. It then curves around the left margin of the heart to reach the posterior surface.

Fate

Upon reaching the posterior surface of the heart, the great cardiac vein merges with the oblique vein of the left atrium to form the coronary sinus. At the junction of the great cardiac vein and the coronary sinus, there is typically a valve present. This is the Vieussens valve of the coronary sinus.

Tributaries

The great cardiac vein receives tributaries from the left atrium and from both ventricles: one, the left marginal vein, is of considerable size, and ascends along the left margin of the heart.