obtuse marginal
Lateral branches of the left circumflex artery that supply the lateral wall of the left ventricle.
Full Definition
Obtuse marginal (OM) branches are the lateral branches that arise from the left circumflex coronary artery as it travels around the left atrioventricular groove. These vessels supply the lateral wall of the left ventricle and are numbered sequentially as OM1, OM2, etc., based on their order of origin from the LCX. The number and size of obtuse marginal branches vary significantly between patients, with some individuals having large, prominent OM branches while others may have small or absent lateral branches. In coronary interventions, obtuse marginal branches are important targets for revascularization, and their anatomy influences surgical planning for bypass grafting.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as OM1, OM2, etc., in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The first obtuse marginal showed a tight 95% stenosis requiring urgent percutaneous intervention." — Emergency cardiology report
- "SVG to OM2 demonstrated excellent flow with no anastomotic complications." — Post-surgical assessment