Which artery primarily supplies the lateral wall of the heart?

The left circumflex artery is responsible for supplying blood to the lateral wall of the heart. This artery branches off from the left main coronary artery and travels along the left atrioventricular groove, wrapping around the heart's lateral aspect.

The lateral wall of the heart, which includes the left ventricle's outer portion and parts of the left atrium, receives its primary blood supply from the left circumflex artery. Adequate perfusion from this artery is crucial for the proper functioning of the lateral heart regions, particularly during increased workload and stress.

In contrast, the left main coronary artery primarily supplies the entire left side of the heart, including both the anterior and lateral walls, but it is more of a trunk vessel. The left anterior descending artery mainly perfuses the anterior part of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum. The right coronary artery predominantly supplies the right side of the heart and, in some cases, the inferior part of the left ventricle, depending on the dominant coronary circulation. Therefore, identifying the left circumflex artery as the main supplier for the lateral wall highlights its vital role in the heart's overall vascularization.