Short answerModerate1 mark
3(b)
State the main functions of the following:
Coronary Artery
Topic: Coronary artery
Previous-year question practice database
Answer
Exam answer
The coronary arteries supply OXYGENATED BLOOD and nutrients to the MUSCLES OF THE HEART WALL itself.
Explanation
The heart is a muscle and needs its own blood supply. The blood passing THROUGH its chambers does not nourish the heart wall — it is merely in transit — so the coronary arteries branch from the base of the aorta to serve the cardiac muscle.
WHY IT MATTERS: blockage of a coronary artery starves part of the heart muscle of oxygen and that muscle dies. This is a HEART ATTACK (myocardial infarction).
The word CORONARY means "crown", from the way these vessels encircle the heart.
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