From the Research
The coronary sulcus is a groove that encircles the heart horizontally, separating the atria from the ventricles, and its relationship to the anterior interventricular groove is that they intersect on the anterior surface of the heart, forming a T-shaped junction. The coronary sulcus contains important coronary vessels, particularly the right coronary artery and the coronary sinus, as described in studies of coronary artery anatomy 1. In contrast, the anterior interventricular groove is a vertical groove that runs down the anterior surface of the heart from the base to the apex, marking the boundary between the right and left ventricles, and it contains the left anterior descending artery, a major branch of the left coronary artery 2. Understanding this anatomical relationship is crucial for identifying cardiac structures during surgery, interpreting cardiac imaging, and comprehending the blood supply to different regions of the heart. Key points about the coronary sulcus and anterior interventricular groove include:
- The coronary sulcus runs horizontally around the heart, separating the atria from the ventricles
- The anterior interventricular groove runs vertically down the anterior surface of the heart
- The two grooves intersect on the anterior surface of the heart, forming a T-shaped junction
- The coronary sulcus contains the right coronary artery and coronary sinus, while the anterior interventricular groove contains the left anterior descending artery.