left anterior descending [LAD] coronary artery (anterior interventricular artery)

Origin

left main coronary artery

Course

• descends towards the cardiac apex over the anterior portion of the interventricular septum.

Branches

• septal perforators
• diagonal branches

Anastomoses

posterior interventricular artery

Distribution

• interventricular septum, anterior 2/3 (septal perforators)
  • includes AV bundle of His
• anterior free wall of the left ventricle (diagonal branches)

More general terms

• coronary artery