Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyThoraxHeartPosterior interventricular artery
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyThoraxHeartPosterior interventricular artery

Posterior interventricular artery

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: January 18, 2024
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Coronary arteries and cardiac veins [16:59]
Overview of the main coronary arteries and cardiac veins.
Posterior interventricular artery (Arteria interventricularis posterior)

The posterior interventricular artery (posterior descending artery, PDA) is a branch of the right coronary artery. It is also commonly referred to as the inferior interventricular artery, a more accurate name given that it is not located on the posterior surface of the heart. Instead, it runs along the inferior (diaphragmatic) surface, within the inferior interventricular sulcus. Its main function is to supply the diaphragmatic (inferior) surface of the myocardium and interventricular sulcus of the heart. 

The inferior interventricular artery can arise from either the left or right coronary artery. The "dominant" coronary artery is the one that gives rise to inferior interventricular artery. In the majority of the population, the right system is dominant, meaning that this irrigates the heart’s diaphragmatic (inferior) surface.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the posterior interventricular artery, more accurately referred to as the inferior interventricular artery.

Key facts about the inferior interventricular artery
Origin Right coronary artery (65% of people)
Branches Perforating interventricular septal branches
Supply Diaphragmatic surface of the heart
Contents
  1. Origin and course
  2. Branches and supply
  3. Anatomical variations
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and course

In most cases, the inferior interventricular artery originates from the right coronary artery. It arises on the diaphragmatic aspect of the heart when the right coronary artery approaches the crux of the heart. The crux of the heart is the meeting point of the interatrial and interventricular septa of the cardiac chambers. The inferior interventricular artery descends in the interventricular sulcus towards the apex of the heart. When it reaches the apex it anastomoses with the anterior interventricular artery, a branch of the left coronary artery. 

The term "dominance" of either side of the coronary arterial circulation is determined by which artery gives rise to the inferior interventricular artery and supplies the diaphragmatic surface of the heart. The right coronary is dominant in approximately 65% of the population. It's important to keep in mind that the term "dominant" is potentially misleading since it can be interpreted as the vessel which irrigates the greater portion of the myocardium. However, it is always the left coronary artery that supplies the greater myocardial portion. 

Branches and supply

The inferior interventricular artery supplies the diaphragmatic (inferior) aspect of the myocardium. On its course in the inferior interventricular septum, the inferior interventricular artery gives off several perforating interventricular septal branches. These branches supply the inferior aspect of the left and right ventricular walls. 

Learn more about the coronary arteries with our articles, videos, labeled diagrams and quizzes.

Coronary arteries and cardiac veins Explore study unit

Anatomical variations

  • The inferior interventricular artery can originate from either the right coronary artery or from the circumflex artery, a branch of the left coronary artery. In some cases, there can be two inferior interventricular arteries that arise from both the right coronary artery and the circumflex artery. 
  • Functionally, the inferior interventricular artery can be a terminal or a collateral branch, depending on the anastomoses that this artery forms with the anterior interventricular artery. 

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.
  • Vilallonga J. R. (2003). Anatomical variations of the coronary arteries: I. The most frequent variations. Eur J Anat, 7 Suppl. 1: 29-41.

Illustrators:

  • Inferior interventricular artery (Arteria interventricularis inferior) - Yousun Koh
  • Coronary circulation (diagram) - Yousun Koh

Posterior interventricular artery: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!