A Detailed Study on Measurements and Location of Coronary Ostia

Aims: The morphometric and topological characteristics of the coronary ostia were studied using traditional anatomical dissection of 100 human heart specimens.

Method: Cunningham's Manual's criteria were followed for the gross dissection. The pericardium around the root of the aorta was removed, and the right and left coronary arteries were traced down to their origins. The researchers looked at the number of coronary ostia and their location in respect to the intercommissural line (ICL), Coronary ostia diameter, The coronary ostia's distance from the aortic sinus's bottom, On the right and left sides of the ostia, the distance between the coronary ostia and the commissures of the aortic leaflets.

Results: 71% specimens showed normal number of the coronary ostia i.e., one in anterior aortic sinus (AAS) and one in left posterior sinus (LPS). Third coronary artery (TCA) was found in 19%. 1specimen showed one ostium in the AAS and the ostium for left coronary artery (LCA) was absent in the LPS. 1 specimen showed two ostia in the LPS, one each for left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCx). Right coronary ostium (RCO) was found arising below ICL In 62% and left coronary ostium (LCO) was below ICL in 44%. The mean diameter of RCO was 2.77mm and that of LCO was 4.11mm. The mean distance of the RCO from the bottom of the aortic sinus was

14.46 mm and that of LCO was 14.3mm. The RCO was shifted more often from its normal position towards the commissure between anterior aortic sinus (AAS) and right posterior sinus (RPS). The LCO were more or less centrally placed in the left posterior sinus (LPS).

Conclusion: Knowledge of the many locations of origin of coronary arteries in the human heart, as well as the ability to distinguish and identify them, may aid in overcoming possible obstacles in cardiothoracic surgical operations.