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Normal Aortic Valve
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Normal Aortic Valve

Note the 3 cusps, which are normally thin but not transluscent.
Note the right coronary ostium on your left, and the larger left coronary ostium on your right.
Note the non coronary cusp between the 2 others.
The large left ostium may reflect a left coronary preponderance, i.e., one with the posterior descending branch being a continuation of the left circumflex artery, found in 15% of cases. It is a continuation of the right coronary artery in 85%. Which is better?
(Description By:J. Hasson, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by: Saint Francis Hospital )
Normal Aortic Valve
Etiology

N.A.
Pathogenesis

N.A.,
Epidemiology

N.A.
General Gross Description

Three semilunar pocket-like valvules called cusps, and named right, left, and posterior cusps.
Each cusp is attached by its semicircular border to the aortic valve ring.
The cusps are mutually attached laterally where the free margins are attached to the valve ring. These junctions are called the commissures.
The middle of the free edge of each cusp is thickened to form a nodule, on each side of which along the free edge is a thin narrow crescentic area called a lunule.
The endothelium on the superior surface is continuous with that of the aorta, and the lining of the inferior surface is continuous with endocardium.
The cusps are thin and translucent.
General Microscopic Description

There are 3 distinct layers, namely fibrosa, ventricularis, and spongiosa lined externally by an endothelium throughout.
The fibrosa is a distinct layer of dense collagenous fibrous tissue subjacent to the endothelium of the superior or aortic surface.
The ventricularis is a distinct layer of elastic tissue subjacent to the endothelium of the inferior or ventricular surface.
The spongiosa is a thin layer of loose mesenchymal tissue between the other two.
Clinical Correlation

N.A.
References

Histology for Pathologists. Sternberg SS ed. New York: Raven Press, 1992. pp. 222-223.
Normal Aortic Valve
Synopsis by: J. Hasson, MD (T39000M00100)[601]
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