right coronary artery
Summary
The right coronary artery (RCA) is one of the two main coronary arteries that supplies blood to the heart muscle. It typically supplies the right ventricle, inferior wall of the left ventricle, and posterior wall, and gives rise to the posterior descending artery in right-dominant systems (85% of people).
Detail
The RCA originates from the right aortic sinus and courses along the right atrioventricular groove. It supplies the right atrium, right ventricle, inferior wall of the left ventricle, and posterior wall of the left ventricle. Key branches include the acute marginal branches, posterior descending artery (PDA), and posterolateral branches. In right-dominant circulation (85% of population), the RCA gives rise to the PDA and supplies the inferior wall of the left ventricle and the posterior third of the interventricular septum. The RCA also typically supplies the SA node (60% of people) and AV node (90% of people). Occlusion of the RCA commonly presents as inferior STEMI with ECG changes in leads II, III, and aVF. RCA infarcts may be associated with bradyarrhythmias due to involvement of the conduction system, and can cause right heart failure. Complete RCA occlusion has a relatively better prognosis than LAD occlusion due to extensive collateral circulation.
Sources
- First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
- Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy
- Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gray's Anatomy for Students
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