An aortic sinus, also known as a sinus of Valsalva,
The aortic sinuses cause eddies which prevent the valve cusps from touching the internal surface of the aorta and obstructing the openings of the coronary arteries.
Structure
There are generally three aortic sinuses, one anterior and two posterior sinuses. These give rise to coronary arteries:
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The left aortic or left posterior aortic sinus gives rise to the left coronary artery;
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The right aortic or anterior aortic sinus gives rise to the right coronary artery;
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The posterior aortic or right posterior aortic sinus usually gives rise to no vessels. It is often known as the non-coronary sinus.
The aortic sinuses are typically more prominent than the pulmonary sinuses.
Clinical significance
If the coronary arteries arise from the wrong aortic sinuses, this can put the heart's ventricles at risk of
Ischemia.
This is often only discovered when a heart attack has already occurred, usually before the age of 20 and during
exercise.
Names
Each aortic sinus can also be referred to as the
sinus of Valsalva,
the
sinus of Morgagni, the
sinus of Mehta, the
sinus of Otto, or
Petit's sinus.
See also
-
Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
External links
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- "Heart: The Aortic Valve and Aortic Sinuses"
