Coronary artery anatomy is designed to ensure the heart gets enough of the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function.
The coronaryarteriessupply blood to the myocardium (heart muscle). Because it must work continuously (as opposed to other muscles of the body, which are often at rest), the heart muscle has a very high requirement for oxygen and nutrients and therefore requires a very reliable,continuous supply of blood.
This article will go over the anatomy of the coronary arteries. You will also learn about the coronary artery’s blood supply and how it helps the heart keep pumping.
The Heart and Coronary Arteries.Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator:Licenses
How Your Body’s Blood Supply Works
Why Are The Coronary Arteries Important?
The coronary arteries have a very important job. If they aren’t able to keep blood going to and from the heart, it can have serious—even deadly—consequences.
How Acute Coronary Syndrome Damages Your Heart
Anatomy of the Coronary Arteries
The two major coronary arteries are the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left main (LM) coronary artery. The coronary arteries arise from the aorta (the body’s main artery) just beyond the heart’s aortic valve.
Three Types of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) to Understand
Left Coronary Artery
As its name suggests, the left coronary artery supplies blood to the left side of the heart.
Right Coronary Artery
The right coronary artery (RCA) and its branches supply blood to most of the right atrium, right ventricle, the sinus node, and (in most people) theAV node. The RCA is shown on the left side of the figure, coursing around the edge of the heart.
Right Posterior Descending Artery
The long segment of the RCA that goes to the very tip of the heart (the apex) is called the right posterior descending artery (PDA).
In most people (about 75%), the PDA comes off the RCA, as in this picture. This is called “right dominant.” However, in 25%, the PDA arises from the Cx artery, which is called “left dominant.”
This distinction is important, since, for example, a heart attack arising from a blockage in the RCA in a right-dominant heart will do more damage than it would in a left-dominant heart.
Left Anterior Descending Artery
Returning to the picture, the LAD and its many branches are shown coursing down toward the apex from the top of the heart. The LAD supplies the left atrium and major portions of the left ventricle—the heart’s major pumping chamber.
Anatomy of the Aorta, the Largest Artery in the Body
Summary
The anatomy of the coronary arteries ensures enough blood gets to and from the heart. If the heart muscle is not getting enough blood, it will be starved of the oxygen it needs to work. If a coronary artery’s blood supply is blocked, it can lead to a heart attack.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe coronary arteries that supply blood to the left side of the heart are the most important because this is where most of the heart muscle is. It’s really the left anterior descending artery (LAD) that does most of the “heavy lifting” in terms of supplying blood to the rest of your body.It’s never a good thing to have a blocked artery, but having a blocked LAD is the most serious. They’re commonly referred to as “widow makers” because a block in this artery is often fatal.Coronary artery anatomy is set up to make sure that oxygen-rich blood can get to the heart. The right coronary artery gets blood to the right side of the heart and the left coronary artery gets blood to the left side. The coronary arteries and their branches also help carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.There are five types of blood vessels in the human body: arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.Arteries carry blood away from the heart. They have little branches that come off them called arterioles. These branches help connect arteries to capillaries.Capillaries are tiny vessels that connect arteries to veins.Veins carry blood to the heart.Venules are the tiniest veins. They connect larger veins to capillaries to help blood get to the arteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coronary arteries that supply blood to the left side of the heart are the most important because this is where most of the heart muscle is. It’s really the left anterior descending artery (LAD) that does most of the “heavy lifting” in terms of supplying blood to the rest of your body.It’s never a good thing to have a blocked artery, but having a blocked LAD is the most serious. They’re commonly referred to as “widow makers” because a block in this artery is often fatal.
The coronary arteries that supply blood to the left side of the heart are the most important because this is where most of the heart muscle is. It’s really the left anterior descending artery (LAD) that does most of the “heavy lifting” in terms of supplying blood to the rest of your body.
It’s never a good thing to have a blocked artery, but having a blocked LAD is the most serious. They’re commonly referred to as “widow makers” because a block in this artery is often fatal.
Coronary artery anatomy is set up to make sure that oxygen-rich blood can get to the heart. The right coronary artery gets blood to the right side of the heart and the left coronary artery gets blood to the left side. The coronary arteries and their branches also help carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
There are five types of blood vessels in the human body: arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.Arteries carry blood away from the heart. They have little branches that come off them called arterioles. These branches help connect arteries to capillaries.Capillaries are tiny vessels that connect arteries to veins.Veins carry blood to the heart.Venules are the tiniest veins. They connect larger veins to capillaries to help blood get to the arteries.
There are five types of blood vessels in the human body: arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.
How Does Blood Flow Through Your Heart?
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Medical School.Bypass or angioplasty with stenting: How do you choose?.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy and Function of the Coronary Arteries.National Cancer Institute.Classification & Structure of Blood Vessels.
Harvard Medical School.Bypass or angioplasty with stenting: How do you choose?.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy and Function of the Coronary Arteries.
National Cancer Institute.Classification & Structure of Blood Vessels.
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