Right coronary artery
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The right coronary artery (or RCA) originates above the right cusp of the aortic valve. It travels down the right atrioventricular groove, towards the crux of the heart. In addition to supplying blood to the right ventricle (RV), the RCA supplies 25% to 35% of the left ventricle (LV).
Branches of the Right Coronary Artery
- At the origin of the RCA is the conus artery.
- In 85% of patients, the RCA gives off the posterior descending artery (PDA). In the other 15% of cases, the PDA is given off by the left circumflex artery. The PDA supplies the inferior wall, ventricular septum, and the posteromedial papillary muscle.
- The RCA also supplies the SA nodal artery in 60% of patients. The other 40% of the time, the SA nodal artery is supplied by the left circumflex artery.
Additional images
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Base of ventricles exposed by removal of the atria. -
The arch of the aorta, and its branches. -
Plan of the branches. -
Diagram of a myocardial infarction. -
