Right coronary artery

Where is it located and how does it run?

The right coronary artery (a. coronaria dextra) is one of the initial branches of the aorta. Its topography and course include the following stages:

• Origin: the vessel arises from the aorta at the level of the right aortic sinus (sinus aortae dexter).
• Anterior surface of the heart: the artery descends, passing between the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and the right auricle (auricula dextra). In its initial segments, it is covered by the right auricle.
• Coronary sulcus: the vessel runs within the coronary sulcus (sulcus coronarius), which lies transversely and serves as the boundary between the right atrium and the right ventricle. On the anterior surface, the coronary sulcus contains the right coronary artery situated in the subepicardial adipose tissue.
• Transition to the diaphragmatic surface: upon reaching the right margin of the heart, the artery continues onto the diaphragmatic surface. Here, it lies deep within the coronary sulcus and reaches the posterior interventricular sulcus.

Branches of the right coronary artery

Along its course, the artery gives off several branches to various cardiac structures:

• Right marginal branch (r. marginalis dexter) — runs along the right margin toward the apex of the heart.
• Conal branch (r. coni arteriosi) — proceeds toward the conus arteriosus.
• Sinoatrial nodal branch (r. nodi sinuatrialis) — located near the auricle region.
• Intermediate atrial branch (r. atrialis intermedius) — runs toward the posterior wall of the right atrium and right ventricle.
• Atrioventricular nodal branches (rr. nodi atrioventricularis) — delicate branches supplying the atrioventricular node and bundle.
• Posterior interventricular branch (r. interventricularis posterior) — descends in the posterior interventricular sulcus; approximately at the border of the middle and lower thirds, it penetrates the myocardium. It gives rise to septal interventricular branches (rr. interventriculares septales).

What does it supply?

The right coronary artery supplies:

• The walls of the pulmonary trunk and aorta.
• The right and left atria.
• The right ventricle.
• The posterior wall of the left ventricle.
• The interatrial septum.
• The posterior part of the interventricular septum.

The posterior interventricular branch gives off septal interventricular branches and supplies the posterior part of the interventricular septum, as well as the posterior walls of both ventricles.

Lymphatic vessels along the artery

Cardiac lymphatic vessels are divided into deep and superficial networks. The superficial vessels originate in the capillary networks of the epicardium and accompany the coronary arteries.

The right outflow pathway runs along the right coronary artery. The lymphatic vessels form a trunk ascending along the anterior wall of the ascending aorta, draining into the node of the ligamentum arteriosum; lymph then passes into the anterior mediastinal nodes (nodi mediastinales anteriores).

Clinical significance

The abbreviation RCA stands for right coronary artery.

In a typical blood supply pattern, occlusion of the right coronary artery leads to infarction of the posterior wall of the heart. Involvement of the right ventricle is possible.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Left coronary artery (a. coronaria sinistra)
• Coronary sulcus (sulcus coronarius)
• Ascending aorta (pars ascendens aortae)
• Topographic diagnostics of myocardial infarction

Other topics in the "Anatomical Structures" section

Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.