3D CONTENT
3D HEART ANATOMY

CARDIAC VESSELS

Author: Dr. Bogdan Leahu
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Cardiac vessels anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing coronary arteries, cardiac veins, and coronary sinus supplying the heart muscle
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CARDIAC VESSELS

  • Also known as coronary vessels
  • Complex network of arteries and veins
  • Supply oxygen and nutrients to heart muscle
  • Remove metabolic waste products

Two Main Categories

  • Cardiac arteries
  • Cardiac veins

CARDIAC ARTERIES

Cardiac arteries anatomy showing two main vessels branching from aorta, originating from aortic sinuses, coursing along atrioventricular groove
Cardiac Arteries - Sourced from the app 3D HEART ANATOMY
  • Two main vessels branching from aorta
  • Originate from aortic sinuses
  • Course along atrioventricular groove
  • Supply oxygenated blood to myocardium

CARDIAC VEINS

Cardiac veins anatomy showing network of veins draining myocardium, returning deoxygenated blood to right atrium via coronary sinus
Cardiac Veins - Sourced from the app 3D HEART ANATOMY
  • Network of veins draining myocardium
  • Return deoxygenated blood to right atrium

Coronary Sinus

  • Main venous structure of heart
  • Collects blood from cardiac veins
  • Empties into right atrium

Anterior Cardiac Veins

  • Small veins on anterior surface
  • Drain anterior surface of right ventricle
  • Empty directly into right atrium

Smallest Cardiac Veins

  • Also known as Thebesian veins
  • Minute veins within heart wall
  • Drain directly into heart chambers
  • Primarily into right atrium
  • Also into right ventricle

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2020. Chapter 3: Thorax.

2. Standring S, editor. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier; 2021. p. 996-1046.

3. Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2018. p. 127-162.

QUICK FACTS: CARDIAC VESSELS

Key questions answered about this anatomy topic

Q: What is another name for the cardiac vessels?

Answer: Coronary vessels. Cardiac vessels are also known as coronary vessels. They form a complex network of arteries and veins that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.

Q: What is the primary function of cardiac vessels?

Answer: Supply oxygen and nutrients to heart muscle. The cardiac vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle (myocardium) and remove metabolic waste products, ensuring the heart has the energy it needs to function.

Q: What are the two main categories of cardiac vessels?

Answer: Cardiac arteries and cardiac veins. The two main categories of cardiac vessels are cardiac arteries (which supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium) and cardiac veins (which drain deoxygenated blood back to the heart).

Q: Where do the cardiac arteries originate from?

Answer: Aortic sinuses. The cardiac arteries originate from the aortic sinuses, which are small dilations at the root of the aorta. From there, two main vessels branch off to supply the heart muscle.

Q: Along which groove do the cardiac arteries course?

Answer: Atrioventricular groove. The cardiac arteries course along the atrioventricular groove (also known as the coronary sulcus), which separates the atria from the ventricles on the external surface of the heart.

Want to test yourself? Try the interactive quiz above!

⋮⋮ Cardiac Vessels Quiz
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