Which artery branches from the left coronary artery to supply the anterior surface of the heart?

Which artery branches from the left coronary artery to supply the anterior surface of the heart?

• A. Anterior descending artery
• B. Circumflex artery
• C. Right coronary artery
• D. Posterior descending artery

Answer: (A)

From the left coronary artery, the artery that supplies the anterior surface of the heart is the left anterior descending artery. It runs along the anterior interventricular groove toward the apex, giving off septal perforators to the interventricular septum and delivering blood to the majority of the anterior wall of the left ventricle (and part of the right ventricle). This makes it the primary vessel for the heart’s anterior surface. The circumflex artery, also from the left coronary, tends to supply the lateral and posterior aspects of the left ventricle. The right coronary artery generally supplies the right heart and, in most people, the inferior/posterior surfaces via the posterior descending artery. In some individuals with left-dominant circulation, the posterior descending artery can arise from the left coronary system, but the anterior surface is still chiefly served by the left anterior descending artery.

From the left coronary artery, the artery that supplies the anterior surface of the heart is the left anterior descending artery. It runs along the anterior interventricular groove toward the apex, giving off septal perforators to the interventricular septum and delivering blood to the majority of the anterior wall of the left ventricle (and part of the right ventricle). This makes it the primary vessel for the heart’s anterior surface. The circumflex artery, also from the left coronary, tends to supply the lateral and posterior aspects of the left ventricle. The right coronary artery generally supplies the right heart and, in most people, the inferior/posterior surfaces via the posterior descending artery. In some individuals with left-dominant circulation, the posterior descending artery can arise from the left coronary system, but the anterior surface is still chiefly served by the left anterior descending artery.