The valve operates based on pressure differentials between the heart and the body.
The aortic valve is located at the aortic root , where the left ventricle connects to the ascending aorta. aortic valve
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 valve operates based on pressure differentials between
In a healthy heart, the valve typically consists of three thin, half-moon-shaped flaps called leaflets or cusps . The back-pressure of the blood in the aorta
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.
Aortic Valve: Function, Location & Anatomy - Cleveland Clinic
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