Final answer:
The right coronary artery supplies the right side of the heart, while the left coronary artery supplies the left side of the heart, including the left atrium and ventricle, and the interventricular septum. Anastomoses provide backup routes for blood flow. Proper coronary circulation is vital for preventing heart conditions like angina and heart attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coronary Arteries and Their Areas of Supply
The coronary arteries are essential for providing blood to the heart muscle, known as the myocardium. The right coronary artery primarily supplies blood to the right side of the heart, including the right atrium, parts of both ventricles, and the heart's conduction system. This artery also gives rise to the posterior interventricular artery, which supplies the back of the heart and interventricular septum.
In contrast, the left coronary artery primarily supplies the left side of the heart, including the left atrium and ventricle, as well as the interventricular septum. The circumflex artery branches from the left coronary artery, and the large anterior interventricular artery, known as the left anterior descending artery (LAD), furthers this supply. These arteries have branches that create anastomoses, providing backup routes for blood flow in case of blockage.
These arteries encircle the heart like a crown, and after supplying blood to the heart tissues, the deoxygenated blood is then returned to the right atrium through the coronary veins. Proper functioning of coronary circulation is critical; a blockage can cause angina or a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.