AEMCA Practice Exam

What artery supplies blood to the inferior wall of the left ventricle in most humans?

1. Left coronary artery

2. Right coronary artery

3. Circumflex artery

4. Left anterior descending artery

The correct answer is: Right coronary artery

The artery that primarily supplies blood to the inferior wall of the left ventricle in most humans is the right coronary artery. In the majority of individuals, the right coronary artery gives rise to the posterior descending artery (PDA), which provides blood flow to the inferior portion of the heart, particularly the inferior wall of the left ventricle. This is due to the right dominant coronary circulation pattern, which is prevalent in about 70-80% of people. In contrast, other arteries play different roles in heart perfusion. The left coronary artery generally branches into the circumflex artery and the left anterior descending artery, both of which supply the anterior and lateral walls of the left ventricle. The circumflex artery mainly serves the lateral and posterior walls, while the left anterior descending artery supplies the anterior wall and some parts of the interventricular septum. Thus, while these other arteries contribute to the overall blood supply to the heart, it is the right coronary artery, through its branches, that is chiefly responsible for perfusing the inferior wall of the left ventricle in most individuals.