In which sulcus do the right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA) reside?

The right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA) primarily reside in the coronary sulcus, which is a groove that separates the atria from the ventricles, encircling the heart. The coronary sulcus serves as a significant anatomical landmark and provides a pathway for these arteries as they supply blood to the heart muscle itself.

The RCA typically originates from the right aortic sinus and runs in the coronary sulcus toward the inferior region of the heart. The LCA, emerging from the left aortic sinus, quickly bifurcates into the left anterior descending artery and the circumflex artery, both of which primarily extend along the coronary sulcus to supply various areas of the heart.

The confusion may arise with other sulci, such as the interventricular sulcus and the posterior interventricular sulcus, which are related to the heart’s structural divisions and other coronary vessels. However, the key focus is that the RCA and LCA are anchored within the coronary sulcus, emphasizing its role in cardiac vascularization and overall function.