The left coronary artery (LCA) is a

coronary artery The coronary arteries are the arterial blood vessels of coronary circulation, which transport oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. The heart requires a continuous supply of oxygen to function and survive, much like any other tissue or organ of ...

that arises from the

aorta The aorta ( ) is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes ...

above the

left cusp A heart valve is a one-way valve that allows blood to flow in one direction through the chambers of the heart. Four valves are usually present in a mammalian heart and together they determine the pathway of blood flow through the heart. A heart v ...

of the

aortic valve The aortic valve is a valve in the heart of humans and most other animals, located between the left ventricle and the aorta. It is one of the four valves of the heart and one of the two semilunar valves, the other being the pulmonary valve. The ...

, 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 The left anterior descending artery (also LAD, anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery, or anterior descending branch) is a branch of the left coronary artery. Blockage of this artery is often called the ''widow-maker infarction' ...

(also called the widow maker) and the

left circumflex artery The circumflex branch of left coronary artery, or left circumflex artery or circumflex artery, is a branch of the left coronary artery. Description The left circumflex artery follows the left part of the coronary sulcus, running first to the l ...

. 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 The aortic arch, arch of the aorta, or transverse aortic arch () is the part of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta. The arch travels backward, so that it ultimately runs to the left of the trachea. Structure The aorta begins a ...

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 cathet ...

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 dis ...

specimen showing the coronary ostia 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

References

External links

* - "Anterior view of the heart." * . {{Authority control Arteries of the thorax

Branching

Additional images

See also

References

External links