Small cardiac vein

The small cardiac vein, also known as the right coronary vein,^[1] is a coronary vein that drains parts of the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart.^[2] Despite its size, it is one of the major drainage vessels for the heart.^[3]

Small cardiac vein
Base and diaphragmatic surface of heart (small cardiac vein labeled at lower right.)
Arteries: RCA = right coronary AB = atrial branches SANB = sinuatrial nodal RMA = right marginal LCA = left coronary CB = circumflex branch LAD/AIB = anterior interventricular LMA = left marginal PIA/PDA = posterior descending AVN = atrioventricular nodal Veins: SCV = small cardiac ACV = anterior cardiac AIV/GCV = great cardiac MCV = middle cardiac CS = coronary sinus
Details
Drains to	Coronary sinus
Identifiers
Latin	venae cardiacae minimae, vena cordis parva
TA98	A12.3.01.010
TA2	4166
FMA	4714
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Anatomy

Course

The small cardiac vein runs in the coronary sulcus between the right atrium and right ventricle, and opens into the right extremity of the coronary sinus.^[1][2]

Territory

The small cardiac vein receives blood from the posterior portion of the right atrium and ventricle.^[2]

Variation

The small cardiac vein may empty into the coronary sinus, right atrium, or middle cardiac vein. It may be absent.^[4]