Anterior interventricular sulcus

Anterior interventricular sulcus is a notable anatomical feature of the human heart. It is a groove that separates the right ventricle and the left ventricle, two of the heart's main pumping chambers. The sulcus is located on the anterior, or front, surface of the heart, and it follows a roughly vertical path.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The anterior interventricular sulcus is one of several sulci (grooves) that mark the surface of the heart. These sulci contain coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with blood. The anterior interventricular sulcus specifically contains the anterior interventricular artery, also known as the left anterior descending artery (LAD). This artery is one of the most important blood vessels in the body, as it supplies blood to a large portion of the heart muscle.

The sulcus begins near the pulmonary trunk, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs, and extends to the heart's apex. It separates the right ventricle from the left ventricle, which are the two lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood out to the body and lungs, respectively.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Due to its location and the important blood vessels it contains, the anterior interventricular sulcus is often involved in heart-related health issues. For example, blockage of the anterior interventricular artery can lead to a type of heart attack known as an anterior myocardial infarction. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Furthermore, the sulcus's location and accessibility make it a key landmark in heart surgeries such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In this procedure, surgeons use the sulcus as a guide to reach the blocked portions of the coronary arteries.