Final answer:
In cardiac terminology, 'dominance' refers to the coronary artery that predominantly supplies the heart's myocardium. Around 80% of the population have a right dominant coronary circulation, where the right coronary artery supplies the posterior descending artery. the correct option is a) Dominance refers to the size of the coronary arteries; 80% have right dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dominance in the context of cardiac vessels refers to which coronary artery (left or right) supplies blood to the majority of the myocardium, particularly the posterior descendent artery of the heart. Answer a) Dominance refers to the size of the coronary arteries; 80% have right dominance is correct. In approximately 80% of the population, the right coronary artery (RCA) gives off the posterior descending artery (PDA), which supplies the diaphragmatic surface of the heart, designating a right dominant coronary circulation.
The heart's asymmetrical architecture corresponds to its role in the pulmonary and systemic circulation. The left side is larger due to the greater distance blood must traverse in the systemic circuit.
While the term 'dominance' may suggest the size or number of arteries, in the case of coronary circulation, it specifically points to the artery that is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the posterior part of the interventricular septum and the posterior walls of the ventricles.