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In order to perform work, the heart, like all other organs in the body, needs oxygen and nutrients. The heart has its own special circulation, the coronary arteries, of which there are two: the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left coronary artery (LCA). The left coronary artery divides into the left anterior descending (LAD) branch and the left circumflex branch. The right coronary artery and the branches of the left coronary artery provide numerous smaller branches that penetrate the heart muscle, supplying it with blood. Both coronary arteries originate from the main blood vessel of the body, called the aorta, and run along the surface of the heart. In the majority of human hearts, coronary circulation follows a predictable pattern.
RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY (RCA)
The RCA supplies blood to the bottom (inferior) portion and part of the back (posterior) portion of the left ventricle. The posterior portion of the septum, separating the ventricles, is also supplied with blood from the RCA.
LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING BRANCH (LAD)
The LAD supplies blood to the front (anterior) portion of the left ventricle, including most of the anterior portion of the septum separating the ventricles.
LEFT CIRCUMFLEX BRANCH (LCX)
The LCX supplies blood to the left side (lateral) portion and the back (posterior) portion of the left ventricle.
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