Aortic sinus
| Aortic sinus | |
|---|---|
Aorta laid open to show the semilunar valves. (N.B. captions don't align with current terminology) | |
| Details | |
| Synonyms | sinus of Valsalva |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | sinus aortae |
| MeSH | D012850 |
| TA98 | A12.2.03.002 |
| TA2 | 4001 |
| FMA | 3745 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
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. These widenings are between the wall of the aorta and each of the three cusps of the aortic valve.
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.