Variation in morphology of the valve of the great cardiac vein in the human hearts.

The research was carried on 70 hearts of adult humans. The hearts were subjected to direct analyses on the autopsy material. The presence or absence of the valve of the great cardiac vein was analysed with reference to sex. The terminal valve of the great cardiac vein was found in 92% of the examined hearts. To define the location of the valve of the great cardiac vein the osmium of the left atrium oblique vein was treated as the reference point. In 3% of cases the presence of the valve was observed independently of the opening of the left atrium oblique vein. The valve of the great cardiac vein was placed proximally from the opening of the left atrium oblique vein. The valve of the great cardiac vein placed distally in relation to the beginning of the coronary sinus was never observed. The three types of the great cardiac vein valves were found: 1. single, semilunar cusp; 2. endothelial fold; 3. double pouches.