Loading LoadingEach leaflet is composed of three distinct layers: the fibrosa (aortic side, primarily collagen), the spongiosa (middle layer, shock-absorbing), and the ventricularis (ventricular side, rich in elastin).
Aortic Valve: Function, Location & Anatomy - Cleveland Clinic 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 Each leaflet is composed of three distinct layers:
In a healthy heart, the valve typically consists of three thin, half-moon-shaped flaps called leaflets or cusps . When the left ventricle contracts, pressure rises until
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.
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
The aortic valve is one of the four main valves in the human heart, serving as the final "gatekeeper" that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta . Its primary function is to ensure that oxygen-rich blood moves in a single direction—out to the rest of the body—while preventing any backflow into the heart. Anatomy and Structure