coronaries Philips 031

AV Nodal Artery

The coronary arteries of the normal heart specimen have been injected with barium and the posterior aspect of the heart in the region of the crux is exposed. The distal circulation of the RCA is overlaid in red in (b) revealing the distal right coronary artery (RCA), the origin of the AV nodal artery, posterior descending artery (PDA) and the posterior left ventricular branches. In images (c) and (d) the posterior wall of the right atrium has been lifted and the extent of the AV nodal artery magnified and exposed. The opening of the IVC is ringed in blue.

Courtesy: Ashley Davidoff, M.D.