hoofdcoronairarteriën

The terms "hoofdcoronairarteriën" translates to "main coronary arteries" in English. These are the two primary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself. The left main coronary artery and the right main coronary artery branch off from the aorta, the body's largest artery, just after it leaves the left ventricle of the heart.

The left main coronary artery is typically shorter but divides into two significant branches: the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the left circumflex artery (LCX). The LAD supplies blood to the front and bottom of the left ventricle and a portion of the right ventricle. The LCX supplies blood to the outer wall of the left ventricle and the left atrium.

The right main coronary artery supplies blood to the right atrium, the right ventricle, and the back of the heart in most individuals. The size and branching patterns of the coronary arteries can vary from person to person, but their function remains the same: to ensure the heart muscle receives the oxygen and nutrients it needs to pump blood effectively. Blockages or narrowing of these arteries, often due to atherosclerosis, can lead to serious conditions such as angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack).