Circumflex artery

Circumflex artery

File:Circumflex artery.png

Circumflex artery and its branches

The Circumflex artery (or LCX) is one of the major arteries of the human heart. It is a branch of the left coronary artery that curves around the heart, supplying blood to the left atrium and the posterior walls of the left ventricle.

Anatomy

The Circumflex artery originates from the left coronary artery, which arises from the aorta. It follows the left part of the coronary sulcus, curving around the heart to end in the posterior part of the sulcus. The artery gives off several branches, including the left marginal artery and the posterior ventricular branches.

Clinical significance

Blockage of the Circumflex artery can lead to a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. This is due to the artery's role in supplying blood to the heart muscle. The severity of the heart attack depends on the location and extent of the blockage.

See also

• Coronary arteries
• Coronary circulation
• Heart disease