Cardiac arteries

The cardiac arteries of more usely the coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. There are two main coronary arteries: the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery.

• The left coronary artery is more commonly called the left main coronary artery (LMCA) in its proximal part. The left main coronary artery (LMCA) arises from the left coronary sinus and quickly bifurcates into the anterior interventricular artery (left anterior descending (LAD) artery) and the circumflex (LCX) artery. The LAD follows the interventricular septum to the apex of the heart in the anterior interventricular sulcus, while the LCX travels in the coronary sulcus (atrioventricular groove) between the left atrium and ventricle, eventually reaching the coronary sinus.

• The right coronary artery (RCA) originates from the right coronary sinus and travels in the coronary sulcus (atrioventricular groove) between the right atrium and ventricle. It gives rise to several branches, including the conal branch, the sinus node artery, and the inferior interventricular artery (posterior descending artery (PDA)). Theinferior interventricular artery, which supplies the posterior part of the interventricular septum, determines the coronary artery dominance. In approximately 80% of individuals, the right coronary artery is dominant, meaning it gives rise to the inferior interventricular artery.