Vol 66, No 4 (2007)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-08-13
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.
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.
Keywords
right atrium; sagittal muscle bundle; septum spurium; Chiari net
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