1122 Chapter cardiac system anatomy: CORONARY ARTERIES ( human heart anatomy, major artery of heart
29 Nov 2022
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The coronary circulation refers to the vessels that supply and drain the heart. Coronary arteries are named as such due to the way they encircle the heart, much like a crown. There are two main coronary arteries which branch to supply the entire heart. They are named the left and right coronary arteries, and arise from the left and right aortic sinuses within the aorta. The aortic sinuses are small openings found within the aorta behind the left and right flaps of the aortic valve. When the heart is relaxed, the back-flow of blood fills these valve pockets, therefore allowing blood to enter the coronary arteries. The left coronary artery (lca) initially branches to yield the left anterior descending (lad), also called the anterior interventricular artery. The lca also gives off the left marginal artery (lma) and the left circumflex artery (cx). ~20-25% of individuals, the left circumflex artery contributes to the posterior interventricular artery (piv).
