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The Heart and the Coronary Arteries: Front View

Coronary arteries are blood vessels that provide oxygen-rich blood and other nutrients to the heart muscle. The coronary arteries attach to and wrap around the heart's surface.

The left coronary artery branches off into smaller arteries. The most prominent ones are the:

  • Left anterior descending artery, which supplies blood to the front of the heart.
  • Left circumflex artery, which encircles the heart muscle, supplying blood to the back of the heart.

The right coronary artery supplies the back of the heart. The right marginal branch usually extends from the right coronary artery and supplies blood to the lower right side of the heart.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology
Last Revised August 5, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 05, 2010
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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