8 Questions
What is the primary function of the coronary circulation?
To supply blood to the myocardium
During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the coronary vessels get filled with blood?
Diastole (relaxation)
What is a characteristic of coronary arteries?
They are end arteries and do not have sufficient overlap or anastomoses
Which artery supplies the SA node?
SA nodal artery
What is the term for the artery that supplies the right and left ventricles and interventricular septum?
Posterior descending artery
What percentage of the population has right dominance?
70-80%
Which artery is also known as the 'widow maker'?
Left anterior descending artery
Where do all cardiac veins drain to?
Coronary sinus -> right atrium
Study Notes
Coronary Circulation
- Supplies blood to the myocardium
- Begins at the base of the aorta, splitting into two branches: right and left coronary arteries
- Coronary vessels fill with blood during diastole (relaxation)
Coronary Arteries
- End arteries: do not have sufficient overlap or anastomoses
- Right and left coronary arteries have three main branches
Right Coronary Artery (RCA)
- Supplies right atrium and right ventricle
- Arises from the right cusp of the aortic valve
- Flows along the coronary sulcus
- Gives rise to:
- SA nodal artery, which supplies the SA node
- Right marginal artery, which supplies the right ventricle and apex
- Posterior descending artery (PDA), which supplies the right and left ventricles and interventricular septum
Dominance
- Defined by which artery gives rise to the PDA
- Right dominance: ~70-80%
- Left dominance: ~10%
- Co-dominance: ~5.7%
Left Coronary Artery (LCA)
- Arises from the left cusp of the aortic valve
- Flows along the coronary sulcus
- Gives rise to:
- Left anterior descending artery (LAD), which supplies the right and left ventricles and interventricular septum
- Left circumflex artery (LCX), which supplies the left atrium and left ventricle
- Left marginal artery, which supplies the left ventricle
Cardiac Veins
- All veins drain to the coronary sinus -> right atrium
- Great cardiac vein drains the same cardiac territory supplied by the LCA
Learn about the coronary circulation, its branches, and the characteristics of coronary arteries, including the right and left coronary arteries.
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