Left coronary artery

Infobox Artery
Name = Left coronary artery
Latin = arteria coronaria sinistra
GraySubject = 142
GrayPage = 547


Caption = Base of ventricles exposed by removal of the atria. (Left coronary artery visible at left.)


Caption2 = The arch of the aorta, and its branches.
BranchFrom = ascending aorta
BranchTo = anterior interventricular
circumflex
(ramus intermedius)
Vein =
Supplies =
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DorlandsPre = a_61
DorlandsSuf = 12154070
The left coronary artery, abbreviated LCA and also known as the left main coronary artery (often abbreviated LMCA), arises from the aorta above the left cusp of the aortic valve.

Branching

It typically runs for 1 to 25 mm and then bifurcates into the anterior interventricular artery (also called left anterior descending (LAD)) artery and the left circumflex artery (LCX).

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.

If an artery arises from the left main between the LAD and LCX, it is known as the "ramus intermedius". The ramus intermedius occurs in 37%Fact|date=February 2007 of the general population, and is considered a normal variant.

=Additional

ee also

* Coronary circulation

External links

* - "Anterior view of the heart."
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