There are two coronary arteries, Left and Right.
The left starts as the 1/2 - 1 cm long Left Main (LM) and divides into the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) and Left Circumflex (LCX).
The Right Coronary Artery (RCA) swings around (and supply) the right ventricule and continues in most cases down the posterior aspect of the heart in the grove where RV meets LV. This artery, on the posterior part of the heart, is often called the Posterior Descending Artery (PDA), in most cases it originate from the RCA but in some cases it comes from LCX.

In general, but considerable variations, the following supply pattern is useful:

LAD

supply the anterior septum, the anterior wall, and in most cases apex.
It might wrap-around apex and supply the most apical portion of the inferior and lateral wall.
In a short axis cut usually supply from 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock.
Ramus inter-ventricular (R) and the Obtuse Marginal Branch (OM) takes of between LAD and LCX
and supply the antero- and antero-lateral segments (around / below).

LCX

supply the lateral wall, usually from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock in a short axis cut.

RCA

supply the posterior lateral segments, the inferior segments, and the posterior septum.
Usually from 5 o'clock to 8 o'clock in a short axis cut.

The myocardium between the typical coronary territories (no maus land) can be supplied by both arteries, or by the more dominant of them.

COVER PAGE

CONTENTS

SLIDE
SHOW

QUIZ

RANDOM
CASE

CREDITS

FEEDBACK

WEBLINKS


Comments and errors to atlasspect@yahoo.com
Contributions and case related information through Fmannting@bics.bwh.harvard.edu
Initiated: Nov 19, 1995. Last updated: April 26, 1999.