Arteries are vessels that carry blood away from the heart. The coronary arteries would be the first blood vessels that branch off from the ascending aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It transports and spreads oxygen rich blood to any or all arteries. The coronary arteries go from your aorta to the heart walls providing blood to the atria, ventricles, and septum of the heart.
Function of the Coronary Arteries
The coronary arteries supply oxygenated and nutrient filled blood to the heart muscle. There are two primary coronary arteries: right coronary artery and left coronary artery. Other arteries diverge from these two primary arteries and extend to the underside section of one’s heart.
Coronary Arteries: Branches
A few of the arteries that go in the primary coronary arteries include:
- Right Coronary Artery – Supplies oxygenated blood to the walls of the ventricles and the right atrium.
- Posterior Descending Artery – Supplies oxygenated blood to the wall of the left ventricle and also the inferior section of the septum.
- Left Main Coronary Artery – Directs oxygenated blood to the left anterior descending artery and also the left circumflex.
- Left Anterior Descending Artery – Supplies oxygenated blood to the anterior portion of the septum together with to the walls of the ventricles and the left atrium (front region of the heart).
- Left Circumflex Artery – Supplies oxygenated blood to the walls of the ventricles as well as the left atrium (back area of the heart).
Coronary Circulation
The heart muscle, like every other organ or tissue within your body, needs oxygen-rich blood to survive. Blood is supplied to the heart by its vascular system, called coronary circulation.
The aorta (the main blood provider to the body) branches off into two main coronary blood vessels (also called arteries).
The right coronary artery supplies blood mostly to the proper part of the heart. The right side of one’s heart is smaller since it pumps blood only to the lungs.
The left coronary artery, which branches to the left anterior descending artery as well as the circumflex artery, supplies blood to the left aspect of one’s heart. The left side of the heart is bigger and much more muscle as it pumps blood to the rest of the body.
What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
Heart disease is due to plaque buildup in your coronary arteries — a condition called atherosclerosis — that contributes to blockages. The arteries, which start out smooth and elastic, become stiff and narrow, confining blood flow to one’s heart. The heart becomes starved of oxygen and also the essential nutrients it has to pump correctly.