Circumflex Branch of the Left Coronary Artery

Circumflex branch of the left coronary artery: anatomy and importance

The circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (Ramus Circumflexus) is one of the main arterial branches of the heart. It plays an important role in ensuring blood supply to the left ventricle of the heart and other structures in the heart area.

Anatomically, the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery passes around the heart, covering it from behind. It forms a spiral path along the interventricular groove on the surface of the heart. This branch is one of the two main branches of the left coronary artery, the other branch being the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD). Together they provide most of the blood flow to the left ventricle and the anterior wall of the heart.

The left circumflex branch of the left coronary artery has several subbranches called the proximal, middle, and distal circumflex branches. These subbranches supply the lateral and posterior regions of the heart, including the posterior wall of the left ventricle and the posterior portion of the interventricular septum. They may also give rise to additional branches reaching the lateral walls of the heart.

The importance of the left circumflex coronary artery lies in its role in maintaining normal cardiac function. Like other arteries of the heart, it provides oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles, allowing them to contract properly and circulate blood efficiently.

Restricted blood flow through the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery or its branches can lead to cardiac ischemia, that is, insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. This can cause symptoms such as angina (chest pain) or even myocardial infarction (heart attack) if the blood supply to the heart stops completely.

Various methods are used to diagnose and treat diseases associated with the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery. Coronary angiography (cardiac catheterization) can be used to visualize the arteries of the heart and evaluate their lumen. If stenosis or blockage is detected, drug therapy, angioplasty, or bypass surgery may be used to restore normal blood flow through the left circumflex artery.

In conclusion, the left circumflex coronary artery is an important arterial branch of the heart, supplying blood to the left ventricle and other areas of the heart. Its anatomy and function are of great importance for the normal functioning of the heart muscle. Understanding the role and characteristics of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery helps in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases associated with impaired blood supply to the heart.

The circumflex branch of the LVA (girth, circumferential branch, Circumflex branch, CB). One of the branches of the PV (left branch) (lateral branch, left lateral branch). It is the largest of the many branches of LV. It usually happens at the beginning.

LVA is the main artery of the heart. It begins at the level of the III-IV rib and descends along the lateral surfaces of the heart. The main part of the LVA descends behind the arch of the pulmonary trunk. The distal part of the LVA continues beyond its border and may be located in front of or behind connections with other large arteries of the thoracic cavity. The anterior descending part of the LVA provides blood supply to the upper walls of the right ventricle, the posterior - interventricular septum and both parts of the left ventricle. More distally it passes through the aortic root.

The circumflex, or girth, branch is taken either from the lateral side of the PV, or from the medial side, and sometimes is separated along its entire length. In the first case, the two terminal branches separate at the point where the LVA continues beyond the border of the heart and form a fusion in the so-called bifurcation of the LVA and OB. Then many small branches are separated from it, which diverge to all the organs of the chest; in addition, in the thickness of these organs, collateral branches depart from the artery, some of which go to the parenchymal elements of the lung (bronchi), others on the way to individual areas of the LV myocardium. Both terminal branches within the BC end at the point where the LVA transitions to the Ao. Most small branches are not formed when bypassing the LVA. They usually follow the arc of the LVA from the point of separation of the LVA and the PVS. I will list them.

1. The sinus branch is designated by the Latin letter “v”. 2. Continuing branch or axial branch (sometimes the axial branch is designated by the French term “vo” [v-véins/veines, -es; v, vo-vitalis/vive, -e]).