The Coronary Arteries

The Heart and Coronary Arteries
Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator

A coronary artery is one of two blood vessels that branch from the aorta close to its point of departure from the heart and carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Both arteries supply blood to the walls of both ventricles and to the partition between the chambers. The right coronary artery supplies blood to the right atrium, while the left supplies the left atrium. Blockage of any branch of the coronary arteries causes death of a portion of the heart tissue when it is deprived of oxygen-rich blood (see coronary heart disease).

Function

The coronary arteries supply oxygenated and nutrient filled blood to the heart muscle. There are two main coronary arteries: right coronary artery and left coronary artery. Other arteries diverge from these two main arteries and extend to the bottom portion of the heart.

Coronary Arteries: Branches

 Some of the arteries that extend from the main coronary arteries include:

Right Coronary Artery - Supplies oxygenated blood to the walls of the ventricles and the right atrium.

Posterior Descending Artery - Supplies oxygenated blood to the inferior wall of the left ventricle and the inferior portion of the septum.

Left Main Coronary Artery - Directs oxygenated blood to the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex. 

Left Anterior Descending Artery - Supplies oxygenated blood to the anterior portion of the septum as well as to the walls of the ventricles and the left atrium (front region of the heart). 

Left Circumflex Artery - Supplies oxygenated blood to the walls of the ventricles and the left atrium (back region of the heart).

Source :

http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/ss/Coronary-Arteries.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/138249/coronary-artery

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