The left coronary artery (LCA) is a
coronary artery that arises from the
aorta above the
left cusp of the
aortic valve, and feeds blood to the left side of the
heart muscle. It is also known as the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and the left main stem coronary artery (LMS).
Branching
The left coronary artery typically runs for 10 to 25 mm, and then bifurcates into the
left anterior descending artery (also called the
widow maker) and the
left circumflex artery.
Sometimes, an additional artery arises at the bifurcation of the left main artery, forming a trifurcation; this extra artery is called the ''ramus'' or ''intermediate artery''.
The part that is between the aorta and the bifurcation only is known as the left main artery (LM), while the term "LCA" might refer to just the left main, or to the left main and all its eventual branches.
A "first septal branch" is sometimes described.
Additional images
File:Coronary arteries 1.jpg, Left coronary artery
File:Cardiac vessels.png, Cardiac vessels
File:Gray505.png, The aortic arch and its branches
File:Gray506.svg, Diagram of the arch
File:Human heart with coronary arteries new.png, Human heart with coronary arteries
File:Heart left lateral coronaries diagram.svg, Heart left lateral coronaries diagram
File:AMI scheme.png, Diagram of a myocardial infarction
File:Ha1.jpg, A coronary angiogram
A coronary catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure to access the coronary circulation and blood filled chambers of the heart using a catheter. It is performed for both diagnostic and interventional (treatment) purposes.
Coronary cat ...
that shows the LMCA, LAD, and LCX
File:Aortic stenosis rotated.jpg, Autopsy
An autopsy (post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death or to evaluate any di ...
specimen showing the coronary ostia
Ostia may refer to:
Places
*Ostia (Rome), a municipio (also called ''Ostia Lido'' or ''Lido di Ostia'') of Rome
*Ostia Antica, a township and port of ancient Rome
*Ostia Antica (district), a district of the commune of Rome
Arts and entertainment ...
and proximal segments of the coronary arteries. Compare with Gray's Anatomy
''Gray's Anatomy'' is a reference book of human anatomy written by Henry Gray, illustrated by Henry Vandyke Carter, and first published in London in 1858. It has gone through multiple revised editions and the current edition, the 42nd (Octob ...
drawing above.
File:Slide2vvvv.JPG, Left coronary artery
File:Slide18bek.JPG, Left coronary artery. Plastination technique
File:Slide19gen.JPG, Left coronary artery. Plastination technique
See also
*
Coronary circulation
Coronary circulation is the circulation of blood in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle (myocardium).
Coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. Cardiac veins then drain away the blood after it has been deoxygenat ...
*
Pete Maravich, American basketball player whose congenital lack of a left coronary artery contributed to his sudden death of heart failure at age 40
References
External links
* - "Anterior view of the heart."
*
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{{Authority control
Arteries of the thorax