TThe great cardiac vein drains blood from the heart muscle to the:
(a) Left ventricle
(b) Right ventricle
(c) Right atrium
(d) Left atrium

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the function of the great cardiac vein. It collects deoxygenated blood from the myocardium (heart muscle).
2. Step 2: Recall the pathway of venous blood from the heart muscle. The great cardiac vein drains into a larger venous structure called the coronary sinus.
3. Step 3: Know the anatomical location of the coronary sinus. It is a large vein located on the posterior side of the heart that empties directly into the right atrium.
4. Step 4: Recognize that the right atrium is the chamber of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the body and the heart muscle via the coronary sinus.
5. Step 5: Conclude that since the great cardiac vein drains into the coronary sinus, which then empties into the right atrium, the correct answer is the right atrium.

Key Concepts

Great Cardiac Vein

The great cardiac vein is a major vein that collects deoxygenated blood from the anterior surfaces of the heart muscle, particularly the left ventricle and left atrium. It runs alongside the anterior interventricular artery and is a key component of the heart's venous drainage system.

Coronary Sinus

The coronary sinus is a large venous channel on the posterior side of the heart that collects blood from the great cardiac vein and other cardiac veins. It serves as the main drainage point for venous blood from the myocardium and empties directly into the right atrium.

Right Atrium Function

The right atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart, responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body and the heart muscle via veins like the coronary sinus. It then passes this blood to the right ventricle for pulmonary circulation.