The heart and the coronary arteries: Front view

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Illustration of the heart and the coronary arteries: front (anterior) view

Coronary arteries are blood vessels that provide oxygen-rich blood and other nutrients to the heart muscle. The coronary arteries attach to and wrap around the heart's surface.

The left coronary artery branches off into smaller arteries. The most prominent ones are the:

  • Left anterior descending artery, which supplies blood to the front of the heart.
  • Left circumflex artery, which encircles the heart muscle, supplying blood to the back of the heart.

The right marginal branch usually extends from the right coronary artery and supplies blood to the lower right side of the heart.

Medical Review:Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated: 09/01/2006

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