Left coronary artery

Left Coronary Artery

The Left Coronary Artery (LCA) is one of the two main arteries that supply blood to the heart. It originates from the aorta above the left cusp of the aortic valve and feeds blood to the left side of the heart. The LCA is also known as the left main coronary artery (LMCA).

Anatomy

The left coronary artery typically runs for 10-20mm and then bifurcates into two major branches: the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the circumflex artery (LCX). The LAD travels down the anterior interventricular groove, and the LCX travels in the left atrioventricular groove. The LCA supplies blood to the left and middle parts of the myocardium, the left atrium, and the majority of the left ventricle.

Clinical Significance

Blockage of the left coronary artery can lead to a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which can be life-threatening. This is because the LCA supplies blood to a larger portion of the heart compared to the right coronary artery. Therefore, blockages in the LCA are often more serious than those in the RCA.

See Also

• Coronary arteries
• Coronary circulation
• Heart

References

Left coronary artery Resources
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