Coronary Circulation : Anatomy Demonstration Video

Coronary circulation is the circulation of blood in the blood vessels of the heart muscle (the myocardium). The vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium are known as coronary arteries. The vessels that remove the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle are known as cardiac veins.

The aortic valve has three leaflets, each having a cusp or cup-like configuration. These are known as:

1. left coronary cusp
2. right coronary cusp
3. posterior non-coronary cusp

Just above the aortic valves there are anatomic dilations of the ascending aorta, also known as the sinus of Valsalva.

Arteries of Heart:

Right coronary artery:

Course:

1. Passes forwards and to the right to emerge on the surface of heart between the root of pulmonary trunk and right auricle.
2. Runs downwards in right anterior coronary sulcus.
3. Winds round the inferior border to reach the diaphragmatic surface of heart
4. Runs backwards and left in the right posterior coronary sulcus to reach posterior interventricular groove
5. Terminates by anastomosing with left coronary artery

Branches:
Mnemonic: TRaP Me IN

Large:

• Marginal
• Posterior Interventricular

Small:

• Nodal
• Right Atrial
• Infundibular
• Terminal

Area of distribution:

1. Right atrium
2. Right ventricle except area adjoining anterior interventricular groove
3. Small part of left ventricle adjoining posterior interventricular groove
4. Posterior part of interventricular septum
5. Conducting system of heart except a part of left branch of AV bundle

Left coronary artery:

Course:

1. Passes forwards and to the left and emerges between pulmonary trunk and the left auricle
2. Gives anterior interventricular branch which runs downwards in anterior interventricular groove
3. After giving off, anterior IV branch, it gives circumflex branch which runs to the left in the left anterior coronary sulcus
4. Winds round the left border of heart and continues in the left posterior coronary sulcus
5. Terminates by anastomosing with right coronary artery

Branches:
Mnemonic: LaTe PAD

Large:

• Anterior Interventricular
• Diagonal branch

Small:

• Left atrial
• Pulmonary
• Terminal

Area of distribution:

1. Left atrium
2. Left ventricle except area adjoining posterior interventricular groove
3. Small part of right ventricle adjoining anterior interventricualr groove
4. Anterior part of interventricular septum
5. A part of left branch of AV bundle

Veins of Heart:

Coronary sinus:

• Largest vein of heart which opens in right atrium
• Situated in the left posterior coronary sulcus
• Receives:

1. Great cardiac vein: Anterior interventricular sulcus
2. Middle cardiac vein: Posterior interventricular sulcus
3. Small cardiac vein
4. Posterior vein of left ventricle
5. Oblique vein of left atrium
6. Right marginal vein

Veins opening directly to chambers of heart:

1. Anterior cardiac veins
2. Venae cordis minimi (Thebesian vessels)

You Might Also Like