MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HUMAN CORONARY ARTERIES: ANATOMICAL VARIABILITY, DIMENSIONAL CORRELATIONS, AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n7p1052-1070Keywords:
Coronary vessels; Anatomic variation; Morphometry; Right Coronary Artery; Left Main Coronary Artery.Abstract
Introduction: Coronary arteries exhibit morphometric variations that may influence the interpretation of cardiovascular imaging and the planning of diagnostic, interventional, and surgical procedures. However, morphometric values described in the literature show considerable variability across different populations and methodologies employed. Objective: To analyze the morphometric characteristics of the right coronary artery and the left main coronary artery in human hearts obtained from formalin-fixed cadavers. Material and methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional anatomical study conducted on 30 hearts from adult male cadavers fixed in 10% formalin. The coronary arteries were dissected, and their length and diameter were measured using a digital caliper. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The right coronary artery had a mean length of 5.45 ± 0.92 cm and a mean diameter of 0.203 ± 0.132 cm, whereas the left main coronary artery had a mean length of 1.13 ± 0.44 cm and a mean diameter of 0.250 ± 0.133 cm. A moderate positive correlation was found between the lengths of the right and left coronary arteries (ρ = 0.457; p = 0.011), and a moderate negative correlation was observed between the length and diameter of the left main coronary artery (ρ = −0.509; p = 0.004). Conclusion: Coronary arteries exhibited marked morphometric variability, with significant associations among selected morphometric parameters. These findings broaden the understanding of coronary anatomy and provide support for the interpretation of imaging examinations and the planning of cardiovascular interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 José Aderval Aragão, Felipe Matheus Sant’Anna Aragão, Iapunira Catarina Sant’Anna Aragão, Marcelo Lucas de Lima Prado, Wallance Geovane Alexandre Lima, Arthur Yoja Santos Souza, Akires Matheus Gomes Santos, André Elias Rezende Santos, Giovanna de Oliveira Sá Costa, Mariana de Melo Bezerra, Gilman Gabriel Gomes Mendes Júnior, Deise Maria Furtado de Mendonça, Vera Lúcia Corrêa Feitosa, Francisco Prado Reis

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