Background: A thorough knowledge of the anatomy of coronary arteries, the crown of the heart does a self-evident prerequisite for more intelligent planning of surgery or a complete understand of the coronary artery disease. Abnormal origin of coronary arteries may cause potentially dangerous symptoms and even sudden death during strenuous activity. A cadaveric study in an unsuspected population provides a basis for acknowledgment of normal variants, which may facilitate determination of prevalence and evaluation of the value of screening for such anomalies.
Objectives: This study was conducted with an aim to describe the anatomical variation in the origin of right and left coronary arteries (RCA and LCA).
Materials and Methods: This study based on the examination of 100 cadaveric hearts from the anatomy dissection room and obtained at an autopsy department. By using conventional dissecting techniques, heart specimens were dissected and studied for number of ostia, and their position within respective sinuses. The heights of the ostia from the bottom of sinuses were measured with the help of Vernier caliper.
Results: There was no opening found in pulmonary artery and non-coronary sinus coronary arteries. Single, double and triple ostia were present in 78%, 20%, 2% of cases, respectively. The height of coronary ostia from the bottom of the respective aortic cusp which was measured by digital Vernier caliper depicts that RCA ostium was higher than that of the LCA ostium.
Conclusion: The findings in this study may provide a basis for understanding the normal variants, for determining the incidence of anomalies, and for evaluating the value of screening for such anomalies.
Key words: Coronary Arteries; Ostium; Sinus; Vernier Caliper
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