LAD Coronary Artery

 The aortic valve has three leaflets, each having a cusp or cup-like configuration. These are known as the left coronary (LC), right coronary (RC) and the posterior non-coronary (NC) cusps. The latter is called a non-coronary cusp because a coronary artery artery does not commonly originate from this cusp. The left coronary artery arises from the left coronary cusp and the the right coronary artery arises from the right coronary cusp.
The left coronary artery usually divides into two branches, known as the left anterior descending (LAD) and the circumflex (Cx) coronary arteries. In some patients, a third branch arises in between the LAD and the Cx. This is known as the ramus, intermediate (Int),  or optional diagonal coronary artery. The LAD travels in the anterior inter-ventricular groove that separates the right and the left ventricle, in the front of the heart. The figure on the top left demonstrates what the coronary arteries look like in the antero-posterior or AP view.
     The diagonal (Dx) branch comes off the LAD and runs diagonally across the anterior wall towards its outer or lateral portion. Thus, the Dx supplies blood to the antero-lateral portion of the left ventricle. A patient may have one or several Dx branches. The first Dx branch serves as the boundary between the proximal and mid portion of the LAD. Thus, the portion of the artery prior to the origin of the Dx is known as the proximal LAD, while the segment just below the Dx is the mid LAD.   The distal segment of the LAD is the terminal third of the artery.

   The septal perforators are the other branches of the LAD and supplies blood to the septum of the left ventricle.

 Thus, the LAD travels in the anterior inter ventricular (AIV) groove which runs in front of the heart, between the right and left ventricles.
 The Dx or diagonal is a branch of the LAD that runs diagonally away from the AIV groove and towards the antero-lateral portion of the heart.
 The septal perforators (SP) runs into the septum and provides its blood supply.

   The aortic valve has three leaflets, each having a cusp or cup-like configuration. These are known as the left coronary (LC), right coronary (RC) and the posterior non-coronary (NC) cusps. The latter is called a non-coronary cusp because a coronary artery artery does not commonly originate from this cusp. The left coronary artery arises from the left coronary cusp and the the right coronary artery arises from the right coronary cusp.
The left coronary artery usually divides into two branches, known as the left anterior descending (LAD) and the circumflex (Cx) coronary arteries. In some patients, a third branch arises in between the LAD and the Cx. This is known as the ramus, intermediate (Int),  or optional diagonal coronary artery.

  The LAD travels in the anterior inter-ventricular groove that separates the right and the left ventricle, in the front of the heart. The figure on the top left demonstrates what the coronary arteries look like in the antero-posterior or AP view.
  The diagonal (Dx) branch comes off the LAD and runs diagonally across the anterior wall towards its outer or lateral portion. Thus, the Dx supplies blood to the antero-lateral portion of the left ventricle. A patient may have one or several Dx branches. The first Dx branch serves as the boundary between the proximal and mid portion of the LAD. Thus, the portion of the artery prior to the origin of the Dx is known as the proximal LAD, while the segment just below the Dx is the mid LAD.

  The distal segment of the LAD is the terminal third of the artery. The septal perforators are the other branches of the LAD and supplies blood to the septum of the left ventricle.