Location:
located in a posterior and lateral location relative to the right ventricle; with right ventricle, it forms apex of heart

Function:
pumps oxygenated blood from lungs to body

Importance in cardiovascular diseases:
decreased function in myocardial infarction, myocarditis, valve disease and other cardiomyopathies

Importance in device delivery:
site for epicardial lead placement; cardiac vein lead placement in left heart; venograms used to define access routes for lead placement