Valve of coronary sinus explained

Valve of the coronary sinus
Latin:	valvula sinus coronarii

In the anatomy of the heart, the valve of the coronary sinus (also called the Thebesian valve, after Adam Christian Thebesius^{[1] [2]}) is a valve located at the orifice of the coronary sinus where the coronary sinus drains into the right atrium. It prevents blood from flowing backwards into the coronary sinus during contraction of the heart.

Anatomy

The valve of the coronary sinus is a thin, semilunar (half-moon-shaped) valve located on the anteroinferior part of the opening into the right atrium.^[3] It is formed by as semicircular fold of the lining membrane of the right atrium. It is situated at the base of the inferior vena cava.

Variation

The valve may be completely absent;^[4] it is present in 73-86% of individuals.^[5]

The valve may vary in size. It may be double, or it may be cribriform (containing numerous small holes).

Function

The valve prevents regurgitation of blood into the sinus during systole (i.e. the contraction of the atrium).

References

1. A. C. Thebesius. Disputatio medica inauguralis de circulo sanguinis in corde. Doctoral dissertation, Leiden, 1708.
2. Loukas M, Clarke P, Tubbs RS, Kolbinger W . Adam Christian Thebesius, a historical perspective . International Journal of Cardiology. 129. 1. 138–40. 2007 . 17692957 . 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.06.048.
3. Shah . Sanket S. . Teague . Shawn D. . Lu . Jimmy C. . Dorfman . Adam L. . Kazerooni . Ella A. . Agarwal . Prachi P. . July 2012 . Imaging of the Coronary Sinus: Normal Anatomy and Congenital Abnormalities . RadioGraphics . en . 32 . 4 . 991–1008 . 10.1148/rg.324105220 . 22786990 . 0271-5333.
4. P. Felle, J. G. Bannigan. Anatomy of the valve of the coronary sinus (thebesian valve). Clinical Anatomy. Vol. 7 (1), 10-12. Abstract
5. Shah . Sanket S. . Teague . Shawn D. . Lu . Jimmy C. . Dorfman . Adam L. . Kazerooni . Ella A. . Agarwal . Prachi P. . July 2012 . Imaging of the Coronary Sinus: Normal Anatomy and Congenital Abnormalities . RadioGraphics . en . 32 . 4 . 991–1008 . 10.1148/rg.324105220 . 22786990 . 0271-5333.