Cardiac blood supply
There is variation amongst individuals in terms of which coronary artery supplies which territory as coronary artery dominance is variable but the college expect you to be aware of the 'typical' territories supplied.
As 70% of the population are right coronary dominant this means being familiar with a right dominant supply. The college only expect you to know the two principal branches of each artery which is summarised below. They also expect you to be familiar with the supply of the nodes.
Diagram illustrating coronary circulation
Right coronary artery
The right coronary artery supplies the right atrium and right ventricle as well as giving off branches to the nodes before dividing into its principal branches whose territories are summarised below
Key point
Both the AV and SA nodes are supplied by the right coronary artery branches
Left coronary artery
As 70% of the population are right coronary dominant this means being familiar with a right dominant supply. The college only expect you to know the two principal branches of each artery which is summarised below. They also expect you to be familiar with the supply of the nodes.
Diagram illustrating coronary circulation
 | |
Right coronary artery
The right coronary artery supplies the right atrium and right ventricle as well as giving off branches to the nodes before dividing into its principal branches whose territories are summarised below
| Main branches | territory |
|---|---|
| Right marginal artery |
|
| Posterior interventricular artery |
|
Key point
Both the AV and SA nodes are supplied by the right coronary artery branches
Left coronary artery
| Main branches | territory |
|---|---|
| Left anterior descending (LAD) also known as anterior interventricular branch |
|
| Circumflex artery |
|