Aortic sinus

Aortic sinus
Aorta laid open to show the semilunar valves. (Aortic sinus labeled at upper left.)
Latin	sinus aortae
Gray's	subject #138 535

An aortic sinus is one of the anatomic dilations of the ascending aorta, which occurs just above the aortic valve.

There are generally three aortic sinuses, the left, the right and the posterior.

• The left aortic sinus gives rise to the left coronary artery.
• The right aortic sinus gives rise to the right coronary artery.
• Usually, no vessels arise from the posterior aortic sinus, which is therefore known as the non-coronary sinus.

Each aortic sinus can also be referred to as the sinus of Valsalva, the sinus of Morgagni, or Petit's sinus.

See also

• Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
• Rupture of aortic sinus

External links

• Aortic+sinus at eMedicine Dictionary
• SUNY Labs 20:29-0108 - "Heart: The Aortic Valve and Aortic Sinuses"