kranskärlssystemet

The kranskärlssystemet, or coronary artery system, is the network of blood vessels responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself. This vital system consists of two main arteries, the left and right coronary arteries, which branch off from the aorta, the body's largest artery, just above the aortic valve.

The left coronary artery quickly divides into two major branches: the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery. The left anterior descending artery supplies blood to the front and bottom of the left ventricle and the septum. The left circumflex artery serves the outer wall of the left ventricle. The right coronary artery runs down the right side of the heart, supplying blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and parts of the left ventricle.

These arteries, along with their smaller branches, form a continuous network that ensures the constant delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the myocardium, the heart muscle. Blockages or narrowing of these arteries, often due to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup), can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, causing conditions such as angina (chest pain) and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Maintaining the health of the kranskärlssystemet is therefore crucial for overall cardiovascular health.