动脉圆锥的动脉解剖学观察

目的 动脉圆锥的动脉解剖学观察。方法 在50例经动脉灌注红色乳胶的成年国人尸体上及在5例冠状动脉塑型标本上解剖观察心脏动脉圆锥的动脉供应。结果 动脉圆锥的动脉大都来源于右冠状动脉的圆锥支和左冠状动脉前室间支的动脉圆锥支,它们大都在动脉圆锥部吻合。结论 本文研究了动脉圆锥部的动脉供应及其吻合,为临床应用提供了形态学依据。     

The anatomy of the coronary sinus and its tributaries

The coronary sinus and its tributaries were studied by anatomical dissection in 37 adult human cadaveric hearts, which had been fixed in formalin solution. An anastomosis of approximately 1.0mm in calibre was observed between the anterior and posterior interventricular veins in 19% of specimens. Myocardial bridges were detected above the anterior interventricular vein or its tributaries in 8% of specimens. The great cardiac vein formed the base of the arteriovenous trigone of Brocq and Mouchet with the bifurcating branches of the left coronary artery in 89% of specimens and formed an angle accompanying these arterial branches in 11%. In the trigone the anterior interventricular and great cardiac veins were superficial to the arteries in 73% of specimens. The left marginal vein was present in 97% of specimens, emptying into the great cardiac vein in 81% of cases and into the coronary sinus in the remaining 19%. The small cardiac vein was present in 54% of specimens. In the coronary sulcus the great cardiac vein was adjacent to the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery in 76% of specimens and to the right coronary artery in 5% in 19% there was no relationship with either artery. The coronary sinus maintained a relationship with the right coronary artery in 46% of specimens and with the left coronary artery in 32% in 22% it had no relationship with these vessels.     

Anatomical study of a left single coronary artery with special reference to the various distribution patterns of bilateral coronary arteries

A left single coronary artery of heart was observed during anatomy practice at Kumamoto University School of Medicine in a 73-year-old female cadaver who died from a thalamic hemorrhage. The left single coronary artery, having a single orifice in the left aortic sinus, bifurcated into the anterior interventricular (IVa) and circumflex (CIR) arteries. No orifice of the right coronary artery was found on the aortic wall. Giving off a branch which traversed the upper part of the infundibulum to supply the anterior upper region of the right ventricle, the IVa descended in the anterior interventricular sulcus to supply the apex of the heart. The CIR curved leftwards in the atrioventricular sulcus to reach the posterior surface, after which it continued to emerge again into the anterior surface. The atrial arteries showed no anomalous distribution pattern and histological observation revealed no pathological abnormality other than a slightly thickened tunica intima. Furthermore, we observed the distribution patterns of bilateral coronary arteries in 377 hearts dissected during anatomical practice over 13 years at Kanazawa University (1980–1986) and Kumamoto University (1993–1998). Although the reason why only the right coronary artery was absent is left unexplained, it was concluded that the left single coronary artery in this study, having the developed left conal and circumflex branches, was an extreme case of the left dominant series of coronary arteries. The formation of single coronary arteries can be explained embryologically by the change of flow in the capillary plexus established on the ventricle wall.     

Coronary artery distribution in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata)

Full use of nonhuman primates as a model for coronary vascular disease has been hampered by several factors, including the limited availability of detailed coronary anatomic data. This study was undertaken to identify the gross coronary arterial anatomy of the Bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata). The hearts of sixteen adult male Bonnet monkeys were subjected to postmortem coronary angiography and gross morphological examination. The main left coronary artery divided into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the left circumflex coronary artery (LCA). The posterior descending coronary artery (PDCA) arose from the LCA in 31% of the cases and from the right coronary artery (RCA) in 56% of the hearts. Hearts from two animals (13%) had paired arteries, arising from the LCA and RCA, located in the posterior interventricular groove. The arterial supply to the sinoatrial node originated from the LCA in 69% of the animals and from the RCA in the remainder. The atrioventricular node was supplied by a branch of the RCA in 69% of the animals and from the LCA in the remainder. The coronary anatomy of the bonnet monkey resembles that of man more closely than does the dog in terms of origin of the PDCA, supply of the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, and perfusion of the interventricular septum. The Bonnet monkey may therefore be a useful model for certain specific pathophysiological studies on the coronary circulation.     

心第3冠状动脉的解剖学

目的:研究心第3冠状动脉的大体解剖学数据,为临床诊治相关疾病提供依据。方法:共收集了118个福尔马林固定的心,观测心第3冠状动脉数量、来源、分布范围、营养区域和长度及管径等解剖学数据。结果:第3冠状动脉出现率为28.8%,其中单支出现率为26.3%,双支出现率为2.5%。它通常分布于动脉圆锥、右心室前壁、室间隔及心尖中的1个或多个位置,也有些少见情况:第3冠状动脉比右冠状动脉大并结束于心尖;第3冠状动脉比右冠状动脉小且结束于心尖;心肌桥覆盖较大的第3冠状动脉。结论:心存在第3冠状动脉情况较多,它与左冠状动脉前降支吻合且分布于心尖和室间隔。因此第3冠状动脉是在疾病诊疗期间需要着重考虑的一个因素。     

Right superior septal artery with "normal" right coronary and ectopic "early" aortic origin: a contribution to the vascular supply of the interventricular septum of the human heart.

In the human heart, anterior and posterior septal branches are mainly responsible for the arterial supply of the interventricular septum. These arteries are the basis of efficient intercoronary collateralization. The right and left superior septal arteries also contribute to the nourishment of the septum and to any eventual collateralization. Because the right superior septal artery (RSSA) is small in diameter, short, and has a variable origin either at the proximal stem or in the ostial area of the right coronary artery, it is difficult or almost impossible to visualize it angiographically. During investigation of the arterial supply of the interventricular septum in 84 human heart specimens and 16 corrosion casts, we found a few peculiarities in the origin and pattern of the RSSA in four specimens. The RSSA was found in 27 cases (27%); in most it was a single vessel and arose from three different locations: (a) the proximal part of the right coronary artery (21 cases); (b) the right coronary ostial area (four cases); and (c) from the floor of the right (anterior) aortic sinus (two cases). Macroscopically, in 16 cases the RSSA had a length of less than 10 mm; in nine cases the arteries were between 11 and 17 mm long. In two cases the RSSA was of more substantial appearance and up to 36 mm in length; it nourished almost the entire upper third of the septal myocardium. In these two cases, two courses could be differentiated: an extramural course with the RSSA descending to the subvalvular fibrous tissue, and an intramural course with ramification in the myocardium of the crista supraventricularis and the superior parts of the interventricular septum. One cadaveric heart specimen and one corrosion cast showed RSSAs that originated "early" (ectopically) on the floor of the right (anterior) aortic sinus; their total lengths were 16 and 17 mm, respectively. Such ectopic ostia of RSSAs have never been described before in the anatomical literature. Given the intense clinical concern with the identification of possible bypass vessels in the myocardium, we assume that the RSSA may have a potential as a collateral route. These findings were also discussed in light of developmental and comparative anatomy.     

冠状窦及其属支的应用解剖

目的：研究冠状窦及其属支的形态、局部解剖以及其与冠状动脉的毗邻，为临床提供解剖学基础。方法：在52例成人尸体心脏标本中，经冠状窦及其属支逆行灌注墨汁明胶溶液，固定后存放10％福尔马林。结果：前、后室间静脉的吻合管径约1mm，此二静脉与左冠状静脉和冠状窦共同连成环绕左心室的静脉环占15．4％。静脉肌桥被覆前室间静脉或左冠状静脉属支占3．8％。心大静脉与左冠状动脉分叉支组成Brocq和Mouchet血管三角占80．8％和形成心大静脉角(角静脉)占19．2％。在血管三角区，心大静脉位于动脉支浅表占40．4％。一例残存左上腔静脉与双冠状窦。结论：了解冠状窦及其属支的形态和局部解剖，有助于临床心血管疾病的诊治。     

Investigation of coronary arteries in the porcupine (Hystrix cristata) by latex injection and angiography

Coronary arteries were investigated in the porcupine by means of angiography performed on each of 5 adult porcupines (3 male, 2 female) which was followed by injection of a colored latex mixture from the aortic arch for the demonstration of these arteries. The results showed that the aorta branched out at the level of the cardiac outlet to form the left and right coronary arteries and right ramus coni arteriosi. Coronary arteries coursed and ramified in the myocardium. The left coronary artery divided to form the paraconal interventricular artery and left circumflex artery when it reached the coronary sulcus. The interventricular septum was vascularized by the septal branch of the paraconal interventricular artery and by the small septal branches. The left and right coronary arteries gave off all the branches reported in the literature for other species. When the ramus coni arteriosi originates from the right coronary artery, it is designated a third coronary artery. In conclusion, it was found that the coronary arteries of the porcupine had an "intramyocardial course" as in other rodents. The coronary supply of the heart represented a "left coronary type" which was similar to those of carnivores and ruminants. The results of this study may contribute to the data in this area of science.     

Anatomy of the coronary arteries in fetal pigs: comparison with human anatomy

In this study, 94 fetal pigs were used to comprehensively investigate the origins, number, location, and distribution of the coronary arteries to enrich knowledge on the coronary circulation in fetal pigs, and allow comparison with adult pigs and humans. In fetal pigs, the posterior interventricular sulcus branch always arose from the right coronary artery and the circumflex artery was rarely extended to the posterior interventricular sulcus, while it is variable in humans. In fetal pigs, there was sometimes anastomosis (8.5%) between the left and right conus branches as nutrient arteries of the pulmonary cone. Other branches were not significantly different between fetal pigs and humans, including the acute marginal branch, obtuse marginal branch, and sinoatrial nodal artery. Coronary dominance was also similar. In conclusion, compared with adult pigs, dissection of the coronary arteries in fetal pigs provided a more faithful overview of the porcine coronary circulation. The coronary arteries in fetal pigs were also more suitable for comparison with humans when pigs are used as experimental animals for studying the coronary vessels, which could be an important reference for investigation of clinical treatment of the coronary arteries. In summary, our data provide reliable information about the distribution and ramifications of the coronary arteries, and could be useful for clinicians and surgeons who wish to comprehensively understand coronary anatomy.     

右冠状动脉轴位X线造影的解剖学研究

目的研究右冠状动脉在轴位X线造影上的正常形态、行径、和分布规律。方法9例新鲜心脏标本的右冠状动脉注入造影铸型剂后，对其进行多方位多角度投照，并与相应方位铸型标本对比分析。结果正位时，右冠状动脉分支清楚；左前斜位时，随着角度增大，右冠状动脉主干逐渐伸展；右前斜位40°以内时，分支显示清楚，但随着角度增大，右冠状动脉主干重叠明显；当影像增强器由头倾位向足倾位旋转时，右冠状动脉主干逐渐伸展。结论左前斜位40°～60°、正位+头倾20°适合观察右冠状动脉主干近段；左侧位适合观察右冠状动脉主干中段；右前斜位20°～40°、正位适合观察右冠状动脉的主要分支；左前斜位30°+足倾20°适合观察右冠状动脉主干全段。     

The positions of coronary arterial ostia

The positions of the coronary arterial ostia were examined in the cadavers of 38 adults. All the ostia were related to the aorta and none to the pulmonary artery. The aortic valves in 37 specimens were normal and possessed three cusps, while one was bicuspid. In the normal specimens, the main right and left coronary ostia were confined to the anterior and left posterior aortic sinuses respectively, apart from one specimen in which the right ostium was related to the right posterior sinus. Six specimens had small accessory ostia, close to the main right ostium. The majority of ostia were situated on or immediately below the supravalvular ridge. Circumferentially, the ostia clustered near the maximum curvature of the sinus. In the single specimen where the aortic valve was bicuspid, both ostia lay more-or-less symmetrically in the sinus above an anterior cusp which showed evidence of formation from two components. The reasons for confinement of the coronary ostia to only two of the three aortic sinuses are not clear. Microscopic examination of serial sections through 22 human embryos of 5.0–17.5 mm CR length (Carnegie stages XIII–XIX) confirmed that the earliest vessels in the heart wall develop subepicardially near the apex at stage XV. The network extends centripetally and only at stage XVII could coronary arterial stems, communicating with the aortic lumen, be identified. The sequence suggests that confinement of the coronary ostia to the anterior and left posterior sinuses probably occurs because these represent the most accessible contact points for the centripetally growing vascular plexus. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Variant of the left coronary artery with an unusual origin and course: Anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings

This study demonstrates anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings characterizing the origin of the left coronary (LC) artery arising in common trunk with the right coronary (RC) artery from the right aortic sinus and its course via the ventricular septum (VS) to the left heart. This anomaly was a single finding observed among 388 angiographies and 60 corrosion castings. The course of the LC was divided in four segments. The first three form a curve that is upward concave. Large branches to the septomarginal trabecula (ST), VS, diagonals (DS), and the small anterior interventricular (anterior descending) artery originated from the outer part of this curve. In the anteroposterior x-ray, the above curve resembles a deep-bottom pot with a handle corresponding to the fourth segment. In the right anterior oblique, the first and second segments form a large erect angle. The third segment occupies the lower part of the absent proximal anterior interventricular artery, and the fourth crosses the outflow tract and the first segment in the middle. The course of these four segments of LC resembles the shape of the number 6. These findings are important for interpreting coronary angiographies in patients with this anomaly. Clin. Anat. 11:367–371, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Intersection patterns of human coronary veins and arteries

Intersections between the coronary veins (CV) and arteries (CA) of 103 adult human hearts were mapped on the heart surface. Then the correlations of these intersection patterns to their localization were studied. Eight spots were selected where one of four major CV (anterior cardiac vein, middle cardiac vein, left posterior ventricular vein, and great cardiac vein) intersected with one of CA and their branches (right coronary artery, posterior interventricular branch, left posterior ventricular branch, circumflex branch, diagonal branch, and anterior interventricular branch). The great cardiac vein (GCV) ran beneath the anterior interventricular branch in 56 specimens out of 103, beneath the diagonal branch in 75 specimens out of 103, and beneath the circumflex branch in 36 specimens out of 103, while the other CV mostly ran over CA. The present observations suggest that the CV on the right side may be formed prior to CA, while the CV on the left side may be formed simultaneously with CA.     

The arterial blood supply of the conducting system in normal human hearts

The distributing artery of the conducting system of the heart is occasionally injured in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to define the anatomic characteristics of the principal arterial source of the sinu-atrial node and atrioventricular node. Furthermore, the morphology of the tendon of Todaro was clarified. Thirty hearts were studied by gross anatomic methods, and the exact area of the conducting system was supported by histologic observations of four hearts. The sinu-atrial node was supplied by the right coronary artery more frequently (73% of cases) than by the left (3%), and in 23% of cases this node was supplied by both coronary arteries. The atrioventricular node was supplied by the right coronary artery (80% of cases) more than by the left (10%), and in 10% of the cases this node was supplied by both coronary arteries. The atrioventricular bundle branch arose from the right coronary artery in 10% of cases, the left coronary artery in 73%, and both coronary arteries in 17%. Most of the blood to the right bundle (the moderator band) was supplied by the interventricular septal branches of the anterior interventricular branch from the left coronary artery. Finally, all the arteries of the right bundle and left bundle were defined to be derived from left coronary arteries.     

Dual anterior interventricular artery type IV: a rare anatomical variation

Type IV dual anterior interventricular artery (AIVA) is a rare variant that involves bilateral connection of this vessel to the left main coronary artery and right coronary artery or right aortic sinus. We present a case of such a variant where the ectopic branch traveled an intraseptal course, i.e., through the superior aspect of the crista supraventricularis in a subendocardial position and then intramyocardially inside the upper interventricular septum to reach the anterior interventricular sulcus and descend toward the apex. In a left anterior oblique view, this course lacked the typical caudal anterior loop but it was recognized by virtue of emergence of a septal branch as the first branch of the ectopic AIVA. Recognition of this variant and differentiation among the possible courses of the ectopic branch is important for patient management.     

Location of the coronary arterial orifices in the normal heart

We examined the coronary arterial orifices in relation to the aortic valve to determine the range of normality in 23 normal hearts from autopsied adults. We determined the position of the zones of apposition between leaflets, the size of the leaflets, the number, position, and shape of the coronary arterial orifices, and their relation to the sinutubular junction. The aortic valve had three leaflets in all specimens, nearly equally spaced around the aorta. The left coronary artery arose within the left posterior aortic sinus (of Valsalva) in 16 (69%) specimens, above the sinutubular junction in five (22%), and at the level of the junction in two (9%). The distance of the left orifice from the zone of apposition between the left posterior and anterior aortic leaflets was between 13% and 61% of the width of the aortic sinus at the sinutubular junction. The right coronary artery arose within the anterior aortic sinus in 18 (78%) specimens, above the junction in three (13%), and at the level of the junction in two (9%). The distance of the orifice from the zone of apposition between the leaflets hinged from the anterior and right posterior aortic sinuses was between 5% and 62% of the width of the aortic sinus at the sinutubular junction. An accessory coronary orifice was found in the anterior aortic sinus in 17 (74%) specimens, whereas a third orifice in this sinus was found in five hearts. The coronary arterial orifices are usually located within the aortic sinuses below the sinutubular junction, but are rarely centrally located. Accessory coronary arterial orifices are found in the majority of the anterior aortic sinuses. Clin. Anat. 10:297–302, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right side of the aortic valve in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

This study describes the coronary artery distribution patterns associated with the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right side of the aortic valve in Syrian hamsters. The hearts of 15 affected animals were examined by means of a corrosion-cast technique, histology and scanning electron microscopy. The hamsters belonged to a laboratory inbred colony with a high incidence of coronary artery anomalies and bicuspid aortic valves. The aortic valve was tricuspid in eight hamsters and bicuspid in the other seven. In all cases, the right coronary artery was normal, whereas the left main coronary artery trunk arose from the right aortic sinus or from the right side of the ventral aortic sinus when the aortic valve was bicuspid. In 12 specimens, the left main trunk crossed the infundibular septum and then divided into the left circumflex branch and the obtuse marginal branch. In another specimen, the course of the left main trunk was ventral to the right ventricular outflow tract; in the remaining two, it surrounded the aorta dorsally. In man, some of these distribution patterns may cause myocardial ischaemia and sudden death. The present findings prove that the origin of the left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus occurs in primitive mammals such as the Syrian hamster, suggesting that the defect may occur in other mammalian species. Its possible occurrence should be borne in mind in domestic animals, especially in those with signs of myocardial ischaemia after strenuous activity.     

Anomalous first septal perforator artery: Anatomic-clinical correlates

The interventricular septum is considered the most densely vascularized portion of the heart, containing important elements of the cardiac conduction system and providing mechanical support for both right and left ventricular function. Anatomically, this structure is perfused by the relatively small caliber anterior and posterior septal perforator branches arising from two large epicardial coronary vessels, the anterior interventricular (descending) branch of the left coronary artery and the posterior interventricular (descending) branch of the right coronary artery, respectively. In cases of significant atherosclerotic disease depriving flow in the major coronary vessels and their septal branches, an anomalous septal perforator artery can take over the task of supporting the function of the interventricular septum by supplementing essential collateral flow. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.