Anatomy of the coronary vessels

There are generally 2 coronary arteries; the right, and the left. Both of these arteries originate from the beginning (root) of the aorta, immediately above the aortic valve. The left coronary artery originates from the left aortic sinus, while the right coronary artery originates from the right aortic sinus.

The right coronary artery arises from the anterior aortic sinus. It passes between the pulmonary trunk and the right atrium to lie in the atrioventricular groove. It winds round the inferior border to reach the diaphragmatic surface where it anastamoses with the terminal part of the left coronary artery. It gives off an artery to the sino-atrial node, the right marginal artery and the posterior descending artery.

The left coronary artery arises from the left posterior aortic sinus. It passes between the pulmonary trunk the left auricle to reach the atrioventricular groove where it divides in o the circumflex and the anterior interventricular arteries, both of equal size. The circumflex artery winds round the left margin where it gives off the left marginal artery and reaches the diaphragmatic surface to anastamose with the right coronary artery