Coronary arterial anastomoses. Study of their distribution in adult hearts specially emphasizing the Crista supraventricularis area.
After examining 100 hearts belonging to subjects who at the time of death had no record of coronariopathy, the presence of anastomoses between the 2 coronary systems was confirmed in 96% of the cases. Intramyocardial anastomoses located in the Crista supraventricularis accounted for 76% of the cases, four main types are described. The fact that crestal anastomoses always connect both coronary systems (even in cases of left dominance) is their most outstanding characteristic. The possible usefulness of this type of anastomoses was finally discussed. It was suggested that they might serve as a safety mechanism which would join areas severely affected by arteriosclerosis to others not so seriously damaged.
Reig-Vilallonga
J
J
Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.
Loncan-Vidal
M P
MP
Domenech-Mateu
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged