open access

Vol 66, No 4 (2007)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-08-13
Get Citation

The valve of the superior vena cava - the supernumerary structure of the precaval segment of the crista terminalis

M.C. Rusu
Folia Morphol 2007;66(4):303-306.

open access

Vol 66, No 4 (2007)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-08-13

Abstract

The primitive right sinuatrial valve persists in humans as the crista terminalis, the valve of the inferior vena cava and the valve of the coronary sinus, while according to the known data the primitive left sinuatrial valve is supposed to have no derivatives. Ten human right atria were opened with intercaval incisions and the precaval segment of each crista terminalis was studied macroscopically. Three specimens did not present any peculiarities at this level, but the other 7 had sagittal muscle bundles and supernumerary valves in individual arrangements. Supernumerary valves were present in 2 specimens, one complete and the second fenestrated; these valves were located immediately below the superior vena cava orifice and covered the medial end of the crista terminalis. The supernumerary valves at the superior vena cava orifice may be termed, mirroring that of the inferior vena cava, "valves of the superior vena cava". Their exact frequency of occurrence and their embryonic precursors must be further established. The presence of such valves in the right atrium may interfere with the flow to the right side of the heart, may represent conditions for thrombotic changes and may disturb a central venous catheter placement. If present, the valve of the superior vena cava will also interfere with the catheter ablation procedures used for supraventricular tachycardia.

Abstract

The primitive right sinuatrial valve persists in humans as the crista terminalis, the valve of the inferior vena cava and the valve of the coronary sinus, while according to the known data the primitive left sinuatrial valve is supposed to have no derivatives. Ten human right atria were opened with intercaval incisions and the precaval segment of each crista terminalis was studied macroscopically. Three specimens did not present any peculiarities at this level, but the other 7 had sagittal muscle bundles and supernumerary valves in individual arrangements. Supernumerary valves were present in 2 specimens, one complete and the second fenestrated; these valves were located immediately below the superior vena cava orifice and covered the medial end of the crista terminalis. The supernumerary valves at the superior vena cava orifice may be termed, mirroring that of the inferior vena cava, "valves of the superior vena cava". Their exact frequency of occurrence and their embryonic precursors must be further established. The presence of such valves in the right atrium may interfere with the flow to the right side of the heart, may represent conditions for thrombotic changes and may disturb a central venous catheter placement. If present, the valve of the superior vena cava will also interfere with the catheter ablation procedures used for supraventricular tachycardia.
Get Citation

Keywords

right atrium; sagittal muscle bundle; septum spurium; Chiari net

About this article
Title

The valve of the superior vena cava - the supernumerary structure of the precaval segment of the crista terminalis

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 66, No 4 (2007)

Article type

Original article

Pages

303-306

Published online

2007-08-13

Page views

500

Article views/downloads

3455

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2007;66(4):303-306.

Keywords

right atrium
sagittal muscle bundle
septum spurium
Chiari net

Authors

M.C. Rusu

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk, Poland

tel.: +48 58 320 94 94, faks: +48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl