Coronary angiographic nomenclature

Coronary angiographic nomenclature refers to the system of naming and describing coronary arteries and their branches as visualized on angiography. Standardized nomenclatures help interventional cardiologists and radiologists communicate findings clearly. Several systems have been proposed over time, but the most widely recognized are based on anatomical landmarks and views.

The AHA nomenclature is one of the most widely used systems. It divides the coronary artery tree into segments for the left and right coronary arteries:

• Right coronary artery

  • 1 - RCA proximal

  • 2 - RCA mid

  • 3 - RCA distal

  • 4 - Posterior descending

• Left main coronary artery

  • 5 - Left main (LMCA - LMT)

  • 6 - LAD proximal

  • 7 - LAD mid

  • 8 - LAD apical

  • 9 - First diagonal

  • 10 - Second diagonal

  • 11 - Proximal circumflex

  • 12 - Intermediate/anterolateral

  • 13 - Distal circumflex

  • 14 - Left posterolateral

  • 15 - Posterior descending

  • 9a - First diagonal a

  • 10a - Second diagonal a

  • 12a - Obtuse marginal a

  • 12b - Obtuse marginal b

  • 14a - Left posterolateral a

  • 14b - Left posterolateral b

  • 16 - Posterolateral from RCA

  • 16a - Posterolateral from RCA

  • 16b - Posterolateral from RCA

  • 16c - Posterolateral from RCA