From the Guidelines
The coronary arteries include the left main coronary artery, which divides into the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery, and the right coronary artery, with additional named branches such as the diagonal branches, obtuse marginal branches, posterior descending artery, and posterolateral branches. These arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle (myocardium) 1. The left coronary system generally supplies the left ventricle and anterior septum, while the right coronary artery typically supplies the right ventricle, posterior wall of the left ventricle, and the conduction system. Some of the key branches of the coronary arteries include:
- Diagonal branches from the left anterior descending artery
- Obtuse marginal branches from the left circumflex artery
- Posterior descending artery (which can originate from either the right coronary artery or left circumflex artery)
- Posterolateral branches
- Acute marginal branches from the right coronary artery Understanding the coronary anatomy is essential for diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease and determining the significance of blockages in specific vessels 1. The most recent study from 2022 provides a comprehensive overview of the coronary artery disease reporting and data system, highlighting the importance of accurate coronary artery anatomy identification 1. The coronary arteries and their branches can be summarized as follows:
- Left main coronary artery
- Left anterior descending artery (LAD)
- Left circumflex artery (LCX)
- Right coronary artery (RCA)
- Diagonal branches
- Obtuse marginal branches
- Posterior descending artery
- Posterolateral branches
- Acute marginal branches These arteries play a crucial role in supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, and their anatomy is essential for diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease 1.