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coronary artery
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X-ray image of coronary artery circulation atheromatous plaque coronary artery; fibrolipid plaque Removal of thrombus in coronary artery through catheterization(A; top) The right coronary artery (arrow) is injected with an opaque contrast medium through a catheter in the aorta. The artery is completely blocked by a thrombus (blood clot) 1 cm from its origin. (B; middle) The same right coronary artery (arrow) 30 minutes after the start of intravenous thrombolytic treatment; the clot is beginning to dissolve. (C; bottom) The right coronary artery completely unblocked.
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coronary artery

anatomy
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Also known as: coronary arterial system
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John Fothergill

coronary artery, one of two blood vessels that branch from the aorta close to its point of departure from the heart and carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Both arteries supply blood to the walls of both lower chambers (ventricles) and to the partition between the chambers. The right coronary artery supplies blood to the right upper chamber (atrium), while the left supplies the left atrium. Blockage of any branch of the coronary arteries causes death of a portion of the heart tissue when it is deprived of oxygen-rich blood (see coronary heart disease).