Mnemonic

Left Coronary Artery Branches

A memory aid for the branches of the left coronary artery and the territory they supply.

Expansion

Left anterior descending and circumflex arteries

Expansion

The left coronary artery arises from the left aortic sinus, passes behind the pulmonary trunk, and divides into:

  • Left anterior descending (anterior interventricular) artery - anterior wall of the left ventricle, anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum, apex; gives diagonal and septal branches
  • Circumflex artery - lateral and posterior left ventricle; gives obtuse marginal branches, and the posterior descending artery in a left dominant heart

Together they supply the great majority of the left ventricular mass, which is why left-sided disease dominates the presentation of ischaemic heart disease.