1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cholesterol

Coronary Arteries

By Jennifer Moll, About.com

Updated: September 25, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Every muscle needs a blood supply, including the heart - and the coronary arteries are responsible for this. The coronary arteries are blood vessels that branch off the aorta -- the biggest artery in the body -- and supply blood to the heart muscle.

Coronary arteries are responsible for directly supplying the heart muscle with fresh blood and nutrients it needs to perform correctly.

Also Known As: Heart Vessels
Examples: Untreated coronary artery disease can lead to a heart attack.
Explore Cholesterol
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cholesterol
  4. Cholesterol Glossary
  5. Coronary Arteries - Definition of Coronary Arteries

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.