Vessel
Right marginal (acute marginal) artery
An acute-border branch to the right ventricular wall
High-yield
Acute marginal refers to the right ventricular border; obtuse marginal refers to left ventricular branches of the circumflex.
Overview
One or more acute marginal branches arise from the right coronary artery and descend over the right ventricular surface. A prominent branch often follows the heart's sharp inferior margin. These vessels contribute to perfusion of the right ventricular free wall.
Reference facts
- Origin
- The right coronary artery
- Course
- Toward the apex along or near the acute border of the right ventricle
- Branches
- Small branches into the right ventricular free wall
- Supplies
- Right ventricular surface myocardium, with variable overlap from neighboring branches
- Drains to
- Venous blood returns through variable small cardiac and direct right atrial venous routes
Clinical correlation
Reduced flow in a major acute marginal branch can contribute to right ventricular ischemia. A clinical right ventricular infarction cannot be identified from the vessel's name alone.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the right marginal (acute marginal) artery originate?
The right coronary artery.
What does the right marginal (acute marginal) artery supply?
The right marginal (acute marginal) artery supplies the right ventricular surface myocardium, with variable overlap from neighboring branches.
Where does the right marginal (acute marginal) artery drain to?
The right marginal (acute marginal) artery drains to the venous blood returns through variable small cardiac and direct right atrial venous routes.
What are the branches of the right marginal (acute marginal) artery?
Branches of the right marginal (acute marginal) artery include the small branches into the right ventricular free wall.