Aortic valve

The aortic valve is one of the valves of the heart. It lies between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Table of contents

1 Morphology
2 Function & Physiology
3 Bicuspid aortic valve

Morphology

The aortic valve has three cusps. When the aortic valve is open, the normal size of the orifice is 3-4 cm².

During ventricular systole, pressure rises in the left ventricle. When the pressure in the left ventricle rises above the pressure in the aorta, the aortic valve opens, allowing blood to exit the left ventricle into the aorta. When ventricular systole ends, pressure in the left ventricle rapidly drops. When the pressure in the left ventricle decreases, the aortic pressure forces the aortic valve to close. The closure of the aortic valve contributes the A₂ component of the second heart sound (S₂).

Bicuspid aortic valve

The most common congenital abnormality of the heart is the bicuspid aortic valve. In this condition, instead of three cusps, the aortic valve has two cusps. This condition is often undiagnosed until the person develops calcific aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis occurs in this condition usually in patients in their 40s or 50s, an average of 10 years earlier than in people with normal aortic valves.

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