Which structure do the anterior cardiac veins directly drain into?

The anterior cardiac veins are responsible for draining deoxygenated blood from the anterior surfaces of the right ventricle. They do not enter the coronary sinus but rather drain directly into the right atrium. This anatomical feature is important for understanding the venous return in the heart's right side, especially in the context of cardiac function and perfusion.

Other structures mentioned, such as the left atrium, coronary sinus, and ventricles, do not receive direct drainage from the anterior cardiac veins. The left atrium primarily collects oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. The coronary sinus acts as a conduit for blood collected from the majority of cardiac veins to flow into the right atrium, but the anterior cardiac veins bypass this pathway. The ventricles are responsible for pumping blood but do not play a role in the direct venous drainage from these veins. Thus, understanding the correct drainage pathway reinforces knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology, critical for pass rates in certification exams like the ABCP.