How the Heart Works
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Coronary Arteries
In order to keep pumping blood throughout the body, the heart must have a constant supply of oxygen. Therefore, the heart has its own set of arteries, the coronary arteries, which continuously supply it with blood, oxygen and nutrients.
There are three main coronary arteries and many small branches that supply the heart muscle. The right coronary artery supplies the bottom and back of the heart. The left main coronary artery branches into two smaller arteries: the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery. The left coronary artery system supplies the top, front, left sides and an area in the back of the heart.