Question

What is a cardiac artery?

Answer 1

Cardiac artery:

1. A cardiac artery refers to a group of arteries that supply blood to the heart.
2. They are also called coronary arteries.
3. They are called so because they encircle the heart in the shape of a crown.
4. The word "coronary" is derived from the Latin word "corona" and the Greek word "koron" meaning crown.
5. Since cardiac muscles can never relax they need a continuous supply of oxygen-rich blood.
6. The four main coronary arteries are the left main coronary, the right coronary artery, the left anterior descending, and the left circumflex artery.
7. Loss of function of these arteries due to deposition of lipids and calcium ions results in ischemia or coronary artery disease.