This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Anterior interventricular artery (heart, anatomy)

Authoring team

The anterior interventricular artery, often clinically termed the left anterior descending artery, is a branch of the left coronary artery. It originates at the left margin of the pulmonary trunk, anterior to the left atrial auricle. It descends on the sternocostal surface of the heart within the anterior interventricular groove. During this course it may give off several branches e.g.:

  • left conus artery
  • ventricular arteries:
    • septal - supply the interventricular septum
    • diagonal - supply the left ventricle

Within the groove, the anterior interventricular artery passes around the inferior border of the heart. On the inferior surface of the heart it anastomoses with the posterior interventricular branch of the right coronary artery.

The anterior interventricular artery supplies the:

  • left ventricle
  • right ventricle - small section of outflow tract
  • interventricular septum

The left anterior descending artery is the one most commonly affected by disease, predominantly atherosclerotic narrowing.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.