Terminal sulcus (heart)
Encyclopedia
The separation of the right atrial pectinate muscle from the sinus venarum is indicated externally by a groove, the terminal sulcus (sulcus terminalis), which extends from the front of the superior vena cava
to the front of the inferior vena cava
, and represents the line of union of the sinus venosus
of the embryo
with the primitive atrium
. On the internal aspect of the right atrium, corresponding to the sulcus terminalis is the crista terminalis
.
The superior border the sulcus terminalis designates the transverse plane in which the SA node resides. The inferior border designates the transverse plane in which the AV node resides.
Superior vena cava
The superior vena cava is truly superior, a large diameter, yet short, vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium...
to the front of the inferior vena cava
Inferior vena cava
The inferior vena cava , also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....
, and represents the line of union of the sinus venosus
Sinus venosus
The sinus venosus is a large quadrangular cavity which precedes the atrium on the venous side of the chordate heart. In humans, it exists distinctly only in the embryonic heart, where it is found between the two venae cavae...
of the embryo
Embryo
An embryo is a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its earliest stage of development, from the time of first cell division until birth, hatching, or germination...
with the primitive atrium
Primitive atrium
The primitive atrium is a term used to describe a stage in the embryonic development of the human heart. It grows rapidly and partially encircles the bulbus cordis; the groove against which the bulbus cordis lies is the first indication of a division into right and left atria.The cavity of the...
. On the internal aspect of the right atrium, corresponding to the sulcus terminalis is the crista terminalis
Crista terminalis
The Crista Terminalis represents the junction between the sinus venosus and the heart in the developing embryo. In the development of the human heart, the right horn and transverse portion of the sinus venosus ultimately become incorporated with and form a part of the adult right atrium...
.
The superior border the sulcus terminalis designates the transverse plane in which the SA node resides. The inferior border designates the transverse plane in which the AV node resides.