What part of the heart is supplied by the right coronary artery in most individuals?

The right coronary artery (RCA) primarily supplies the heart structures associated with the right side of the heart, which includes key components of the conduction system, namely the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node, in a significant majority of individuals. The SA node is responsible for initiating electrical impulses that control the heartbeat, while the AV node acts as a relay point between the atria and the ventricles, coordinating their contractions.

In most individuals, the RCA also supplies the right ventricle and a portion of the left ventricle, but its crucial role in supplying the SA and AV nodes places it in a particularly important position regarding the heart’s electrical activity. This vascular supply allows for the effective functioning of the heart rhythm and is central to the overall cardiac output. Understanding the vascular distribution is essential for recognizing how ischemia in these areas can lead to conduction disturbances and arrhythmias.

This well-established anatomical basis makes the choice concerning the SA node and AV node the correct focus when considering the primary supply of the right coronary artery. The left atrium, while receiving blood from the lungs, is mainly supplied by the left coronary arteries; hence its selection wouldn't align with the RCA's primary territories. The