It begins at the apex of the heart and ascends along the anterior interventricular sulcus[1] before joining the oblique vein of the left atrium to form the coronary sinus[2] upon the posterior surface of the heart.

The great cardiac vein ascends along the anterior interventricular sulcus[1] to the base of the ventricles.

[citation needed] It then curves around the left margin of the heart to reach the posterior surface.

[2][3] At the junction of the great cardiac vein and the coronary sinus, there is typically a valve present.

[citation needed] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 642 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)