Circumflex Coronary Artery |
The Circumflex (Cx) coronary artery is a branch of the left main
coronary artery after the latter runs it's course in between the aorta
and the main pulmonary artery,. |
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The obtuse marginal or OM branch serves as the boundary between the proximal and distal portion of the Cx. Thus, the portion of the artery prior to the origin of the OM is known as the proximal Cx, while the segment just below the OM is the distal Cx. An example of a dominant circumflex is shown on the left. Note that it supplies the posterior descending coronary artery or PDA. When supplied by the Cx, it is known as left PDA while it is called right PDA when it is supplied by the right coronary artery. |
Thus
in summary, the Cx travels in the left atrio-ventricular (AIV) groove
between the left atrium and left ventricle, as it wraps around to the
back or posterior portion of the heart. |
Circumflex Coronary Artery |