The arteries supplying the heart muscle originate from which vessel?

The arteries supplying the heart muscle originate from which vessel?

• A. Aorta.
• B. Pulmonary artery.
• C. Inferior vena cava.
• D. Right atrium.

Answer: (A)

Arteries that supply the heart muscle, the coronary arteries, originate from the aorta just above the aortic valve in the aortic root. These openings, called the coronary ostia, allow oxygen-rich blood to flow into the coronaries and perfuse the myocardium, especially during diastole when the aortic valve is closed. The other vessels listed do not give rise to the coronary arteries: the pulmonary artery carries blood to the lungs, the inferior vena cava returns blood to the right atrium, and the right atrium is a heart chamber, not a source for coronary arteries.

Arteries that supply the heart muscle, the coronary arteries, originate from the aorta just above the aortic valve in the aortic root. These openings, called the coronary ostia, allow oxygen-rich blood to flow into the coronaries and perfuse the myocardium, especially during diastole when the aortic valve is closed. The other vessels listed do not give rise to the coronary arteries: the pulmonary artery carries blood to the lungs, the inferior vena cava returns blood to the right atrium, and the right atrium is a heart chamber, not a source for coronary arteries.