3D CONTENT
3D HEART ANATOMY

ROOT OF AORTA

Author: Dr. Bogdan Leahu

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Root of aorta anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing aortic valve and left ventricular outflow tract
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Root of Aorta - Overview, Preview from the app.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ROOT OF AORTA

What is the root of aorta?

  • Initial segment of aorta emerging from your left ventricle
  • Encompasses portion of left ventricular outflow tract
  • Supports aortic valve leaflets
  • Components:
    • Aortic valve leaflets
    • Sinuses of Valsalva
    • Interleaflet triangles
    • Supravalvular ridge
  • Facilitates efficient blood flow into your systemic circulation

AORTIC VALVE

Aortic valve 360-degree interactive viewer showing semilunar valve structure between left ventricle and ascending aorta
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Aortic Valve, Preview from the app.

What is the aortic valve?

  • Semilunar valve between left ventricle and ascending aorta
  • Regulates blood flow from your heart into the aorta
  • Delivers oxygen-rich blood to your body
  • Prevents backflow into your left ventricle during diastole
  • Consists of three crescent-shaped leaflets:
    • Right coronary leaflet
    • Left coronary leaflet
    • Noncoronary leaflet

AORTIC ORIFICE

Aortic orifice showing the opening through which blood exits left ventricle, guarded by three aortic valve leaflets
Root of Aorta Overview, Preview from the app. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Sourced from 3D HEART ANATOMY.

What is the aortic orifice?

  • Opening through which blood exits your left ventricle
  • Guarded by three aortic valve leaflets
  • Leaflets open and close with each heartbeat
  • Maintains proper blood flow direction

AORTIC VALVE LEAFLETS

Aortic valve leaflets 360-degree interactive viewer showing right coronary, left coronary, and noncoronary leaflets
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Aortic Valve Leaflets, Preview from the app.

Right Coronary Leaflet

What is the right coronary leaflet?

  • Associated with right coronary artery
  • Gives rise to right coronary artery origin

Left Coronary Leaflet

What is the left coronary leaflet?

  • Associated with left coronary artery
  • Gives rise to left coronary artery origin

Noncoronary Leaflet

What is the noncoronary leaflet?

  • Not associated with coronary artery
  • Essential for completing valve structure
  • Contributes to valve function

AORTIC SINUSES

Aortic sinuses 360-degree interactive viewer showing sinuses of Valsalva above aortic valve leaflets
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Aortic Sinuses (Sinuses of Valsalva), Preview from the app.

What are the aortic sinuses?

  • Also known as sinuses of Valsalva
  • Three small dilations of aortic wall
  • Located just above aortic valve leaflets
  • Composed of elastic tissue
  • Positioned behind each valve leaflet
  • Functions:
    • Assist in valve closure
    • Facilitate coronary artery blood flow

Named According to Coronary Artery Association

Right Coronary Sinus

What is the right coronary sinus?

  • Gives rise to right coronary artery

Left Coronary Sinus

What is the left coronary sinus?

  • Gives rise to left coronary artery

Noncoronary Sinus

What is the noncoronary sinus?

  • Does not give rise to coronary artery

INTERLEAFLET TRIANGLES

Interleaflet triangles 360-degree interactive viewer showing fibrous structures between aortic valve leaflet attachments
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Interleaflet Triangles, Preview from the app.

What are the interleaflet triangles?

  • Fibrous structures between aortic valve leaflet attachments
  • Triangular areas where adjacent leaflets meet
  • Integral to aortic root structural integrity
  • Allow flexibility of your valve leaflets
  • Enable proper leaflet movement during your cardiac cycle
  • Contribute to efficient valve opening and closing

SUPRAVALVULAR RIDGE

Supravalvular ridge 360-degree interactive viewer showing fibrous ring at junction of aortic root and ascending aorta
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Supravalvular Ridge, Preview from the app.

What is the supravalvular ridge?

  • Fibrous ring at junction of aortic root and ascending aorta
  • Marks transition to ascending aorta
  • Provides structural support
  • Maintains aortic integrity as the vessel courses upward

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Gray H, Lewis W. Angiology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 1918. p. 526–542.

2. Gosling JA, Harris PF, Humpherson JR, Whitmore I, Willan PLT. Human anatomy: color atlas and textbook. 6th ed. 2017. 45–58 p.

3. Anderson RH, Spicer DE, Hlavacek AM, Cook AC, Backer CL. (2013). Anatomy of the cardiac chambers. In Wilcox’s Surgical Anatomy of the Heart (4th ed., pp. 13–50). Cambridge University Press.

4. Fritsch H, Kuehnel W. Color Atlas of Human Anatomy. Vol. Volume 2, Color Atlas and Textbook of Human Anatomy. 2005. 10–42 p.

5. Moore K, Dalley A, Agur A. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Vol. 7ed, Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 2014. 132–151 p.

6. Ho SYen. Anatomy for Cardiac Electrophysiologists: A Practical Handbook. Cardiotext Pub; 2012. 5–27 p.

7. The structure and organization of anatomical terms used in this text follow the guidelines provided by FIPAT (2019) in their publication: FIPAT. (2019). Terminologia Anatomica (2nd ed.). FIPAT.library.dal.ca. Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology. Retrieved May 7, 2023, from https://fipat.library.dal.ca/TA2/