An aortic sinus, also known as a sinus of Valsalva,
is one of the anatomic dilations of the
ascending aorta, which occurs just above the
aortic valve
The aortic valve is a valve in the heart of humans and most other animals, located between the left ventricle and the aorta. It is one of the four valves of the heart and one of the two semilunar valves, the other being the pulmonary valve. The ...
. These widenings are between the wall of the
aorta
The aorta ( ) is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes ...
and each of the three cusps of the aortic valve.
Structure
There are generally three aortic sinuses, one
anterior
Standard anatomical terms of location are used to unambiguously describe the anatomy of animals, including humans. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position prov ...
and two
posterior sinuses. These give rise to
coronary arteries
The coronary arteries are the arterial blood vessels of coronary circulation, which transport oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. The heart requires a continuous supply of oxygen to function and survive, much like any other tissue or organ of ...
:
* The left posterior aortic sinus gives rise to the
left coronary artery
The left coronary artery (LCA) is a coronary artery that arises from the aorta above the left cusp of the aortic valve, and feeds blood to the left side of the heart muscle. It is also known as the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and the left ma ...
.
* The anterior aortic sinus gives rise to the
right coronary artery
In the blood supply of the heart, the right coronary artery (RCA) is an artery originating above the right cusp of the aortic valve, at the right aortic sinus in the heart. It travels down the right coronary sulcus, towards the crux of the hea ...
.
* The right posterior aortic sinus usually gives rise to no vessels, and 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
ischaemia
Ischemia American and British English spelling differences#ae and oe, or ischaemia is a restriction in blood supply to any tissue (biology), tissue, Skeletal muscle, muscle group, or Organ (biology), organ of the body, causing a shortage of oxyg ...
.
This is often only discovered when a
heart attack
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...
has already occurred, usually before the age of 20 and during
exercise
Exercise is a body activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.
It is performed for various reasons, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardiovascular system, hone athletic ...
.
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
References
External links
* - "Heart: The Aortic Valve and Aortic Sinuses"
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Aorta