Where is the aortic valve located?

Answer 1

The semi-lunar aortic valve is a fibrous tissue structure part of the aortic root. The aortic root comprises several entities, including the aortic valve leaflets and attachments. The parachute-like leaflets open when the ventricle directs blood from the right ventricle to the aorta. The semi-lunar aortic valve prevents the oxygenated blood from flowing back into the left ventricular chamber. When thinking about the anatomy of the great vessels, it is essential to understand the function and structure of the semi-lunar aortic and pulmonary ( over the pulmonary trunk facing the right ventricle)valves.

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Answer 2

There are total 4 valves in the heart and aortic valve is one of them. Heart valves are classified based on their location and the number of ‘cusps’ or ‘leaflets’ (which are flaps of tissue on the valve that open and close with every heartbeat):

*Semilunar Valves (as the name states – they are semilunar in shape). They are further classified into:

1. Aortic Valve (located between the Left Ventricle and the Aorta)
2. Pulmonary Valve (located between the Right Ventricle and the Pulmonary Artery)

*Atrio-Ventricular Valves (as the name states – they are located in between each atrium and ventricle). They are further classified into:

1. Mitral Valve (also called ‘Bicuspid’ valve. Contains 2 cusps and located in between the Left Atrium and the Left Ventricle). 
2. Tricuspid Valve (contains 3 cusps and located in between the Right Atrium and the Right Ventricle).

Aortic Valve:

‘Aorta’ is the largest blood vessel in the body. It pumps oxygenated blood from the heart into the rest of the body. The aortic valve prevents backward flow of oxygenated blood (i.e. prevents the blood flow from the aorta back into the left ventricle). As oxygen rich blood leaves the heart ---> Aortic valve is the final valve encountered by oxygenated blood. 

There are 3 main types of heart valve problems:

1. Regurgitation – when the valve ‘does not close’ properly (this leads to backward flow of blood).

2. Stenosis – when the valve ‘does not open’ properly. 

3. Atresia – when a valve is missing. 

Clinical Pearl: Left sided valves (i.e. mitral valve and aortic valve are most commonly affected by heart valve disease). 

Answer 3

It is between the left ventricle and the aorta to ensure that oxygen-rich blood does not flow back into the left ventricle. The aortic valve is typically made up of three membranes (cusps) made up mainly of collagen; the valve is placed on a muscle ring and connected to the heart wall.