Abstract

Background:The sinoatrial node, or pacemaker of the heart, is a small mass of histologically distinct myocardial cells. The present study was conducted to assess origin of sinuatrial nodal artery in human cadaveric heart specimens.
Materials & Methods: 45 formalin fixed adult human cadaveric heart of either gender obtained in Anatomy department were studied. The coronary arteries were dissected and analyzed for the origin of sinoatrial nodal artery and observations were noted.
Results: Out of 45 hearts, 25 were of males and 20 were of females. Origin of sinoatrial nodal artery was from right coronary artery in 27 and left coronary artery in 18 specimens. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Knowing the variations in the blood supply of SA node and study of origin and distribution of sinoatrial nodal artery helps cardiologist and cardiac surgeons to understand the ischemic etiology of sinus node diseases and corrective steps needed.