Upper Arteries (03) ICD-10-PCS
The 03 body system covers Medical and Surgical procedures on upper arteries, with 3,853 ICD-10-PCS codes across 18 root operations, 3,835 of them billable in fiscal year 2026. Each root operation defines a distinct procedural objective, and the info icons show the official definition with a preview of the codes inside.
Root Operations in This Body System 18 operations · 3,853 codes
| Chars 1–3 | Root Operation | Codes | Billable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 031 | BypassAltering the route of passage of the contents of a tubular body part | 672 | 671 |
| 035 | DestructionPhysical eradication of all or a portion of a body part by the direct use of energy, force or a destructive agent | 91 | 90 |
| 037 | DilationExpanding an orifice or the lumen of a tubular body part | 889 | 888 |
| 039 | DrainageTaking or letting out fluids and/or gases from a body part | 271 | 270 |
| 03B | ExcisionCutting out or off, without replacement, a portion of a body part | 181 | 180 |
| 03C | ExtirpationTaking or cutting out solid matter from a body part | 100 | 99 |
| 03F | FragmentationBreaking solid matter in a body part into pieces | 27 | 26 |
| 03H | InsertionPutting in a non-biological appliance that monitors, assists, performs or prevents a physiological function but does not physically take the place of a body part | 193 | 192 |
| 03J | InspectionVisually and/or manually exploring a body part | 5 | 4 |
| 03L | OcclusionCompletely closing an orifice or the lumen of a tubular body part | 298 | 297 |
| 03N | ReleaseFreeing a body part from an abnormal physical constraint by cutting or by use of force | 91 | 90 |
| 03P | RemovalTaking out or off a device from a body part | 36 | 35 |
| 03Q | RepairRestoring, to the extent possible, a body part to its normal anatomic structure and function | 91 | 90 |
| 03R | ReplacementPutting in or on biological or synthetic material that physically takes the place and/or function of all or a portion of a body part | 181 | 180 |
| 03S | RepositionMoving to its normal location or other suitable location all or a portion of a body part | 91 | 90 |
| 03U | SupplementPutting in or on biological or synthetic material that physically reinforces and/or augments the function of a body part | 271 | 270 |
| 03V | RestrictionPartially closing an orifice or the lumen of a tubular body part | 325 | 324 |
| 03W | RevisionCorrecting, to the extent possible, a portion of a malfunctioning device or the position of a displaced device | 40 | 39 |
The info icon shows the official root operation definition and previews the codes in that range.
About the 03 Body System
The ICD-10-PCS codes for the Upper Arteries body system within the Medical and Surgical section cover a range of root operations that describe specific procedures performed on these blood vessels. These operations detail various interventions such as opening, altering, or removing parts or devices related to the upper arteries.
For example, bypass (Code 031) involves altering the route of blood flow through the artery. Dilation (Code 037) expands the lumen to improve blood flow, while occlusion (Code 03L) completely closes off the artery. Other operations include excision (Code 03B), removing a portion without replacement, and insertion (Code 03H), which involves placing a non-biological device to support or monitor arterial function. There are also codes for repair (Code 03Q) to restore normal structure and removal (Code 03P) of devices. Together, these ICD-10-PCS codes provide precise descriptions of surgical and diagnostic procedures targeting the upper arteries.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the 03 body system?
The 03 body system contains 3,853 ICD-10-PCS codes in FY 2026, organized into 18 root operations. 3,835 of them are billable on inpatient claims.
What is a root operation?
The root operation is the third character of every ICD-10-PCS code and names the objective of the procedure. Drainage takes fluid out, Excision cuts out a portion of a body part, and Resection removes all of one. Picking the right root operation is the central skill of PCS coding, so each one above carries its official CMS definition.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-PCS order file and code tables, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
