Aortic Valve Apr 2026

As the heart relaxes, pressure in the ventricle drops below that of the aorta. The back-pressure of the blood in the aorta pushes the leaflets together to form a tight seal, creating the second heart sound (the "dub" in "lub-dub"). Common Conditions and Diseases

When the left ventricle contracts, pressure rises until it exceeds the pressure in the aorta. This forces the leaflets open, allowing blood to surge into the systemic circulation. aortic valve

Directly behind each cusp are elliptical depressions in the aortic wall that house the openings ( ostia ) to the coronary arteries, ensuring the heart muscle receives its own blood supply during diastole. Function in the Cardiac Cycle As the heart relaxes, pressure in the ventricle

The valve operates based on pressure differentials between the heart and the body. This forces the leaflets open, allowing blood to