The term "vena cordis parva" refers to the small cardiac vein, a blood vessel that drains the heart. Its spelling can be understood through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. "Vena" is pronounced "ˈveɪ.nə", with the stress on the first syllable and a long "a" sound. "Cordis" sounds like "ˈkɔɹdɪs", with the stress on the second syllable and a silent "i". "Parva" is pronounced "ˈpɑːɹvə", with the stress on the first syllable and a long "a" sound. Proper spelling and pronunciation are important in accurately conveying medical terms.
Vena cordis parva, also known as the small cardiac vein, is a term used in anatomy to describe a specific blood vessel found within the human body. It is a small vein that runs alongside the right atrium of the heart.
The vena cordis parva plays a crucial role in the circulatory system, as it functions to drain deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle itself. It receives blood from several cardiac veins that collect blood from the myocardium, the middle muscular layer of the heart. The collected blood is then emptied into the right atrium, where it will be pumped to the lungs for oxygenation.
Anatomically, the vena cordis parva can be located on the posterior aspect of the heart, running parallel to the right coronary artery. It typically emerges from the inferior margin of the heart and courses upwards, eventually joining the coronary sinus, a larger vein that receives blood from other cardiac veins and also opens into the right atrium.
The vena cordis parva, along with other veins of the heart, is instrumental in maintaining the overall functionality and health of the cardiovascular system. It aids in the removal of waste products, such as carbon dioxide, from the heart muscle tissues, ensuring that the heart receives a steady supply of freshly oxygenated blood for effective pumping.
Small cardiac vein, an inconstant vessel, accompanying the right coronary artery in the coronary sulcus, from the right margin of the right ventricle, and empties into the coronary sinus or the middle cardiac vein.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.