Sinus of Valsalva

Changed by Joshua Yap, 21 Jul 2022
Disclosures - updated 15 Jul 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The sinuses of Valsalva, also known as aortic sinuses, are the anatomic spaces at the aortic root bounded internally by the aortic valve leaflets and externally by outward bulges of the aortic wall.

The normal sinus diameter upper limit is usually taken as 40 mm (with some publications suggesting 36 mm for females)1.

In typical anatomy, there are three sinuses:

The former terms are used routinely in clinical vernacular, while the latter are used in some anatomic texts 2. When there are congenital coronary artery anomalies, however, the traditional anatomic descriptors may be less confusing.

When the term coronary sinus is used in conjunction with a modifier (e.g., left left or right), it should not be confused for the venous coronary sinus.

Related pathology

  • -<p>The <strong>sinuses of Valsalva</strong>, also known as <strong>aortic sinuses</strong>, are the anatomic spaces at the <a href="/articles/aortic-root">aortic root</a> bounded internally by the aortic valve leaflets and externally by outward bulges of the aortic wall.</p><p>The normal sinus diameter upper limit is usually taken as 40 mm (with some publications suggesting 36 mm for females)<sup>1</sup>.</p><p>In typical anatomy, there are three sinuses:</p><ul>
  • +<p>The <strong>sinuses of Valsalva</strong>, also known as <strong>aortic sinuses</strong>, are the anatomic spaces at the <a href="/articles/aortic-root">aortic root</a> bounded internally by the aortic valve leaflets and externally by outward bulges of the aortic wall.</p><p>The normal sinus diameter upper limit is usually taken as 40 mm (with some publications suggesting 36 mm for females) <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>In typical anatomy, there are three sinuses:</p><ul>
  • -</ul><p>The former terms are used routinely in clinical vernacular, while the latter are used in some anatomic texts <span style="font-size:10.8333px">2</span>. When there are <a href="/articles/congenital-coronary-artery-anomalies">congenital coronary artery anomalies</a>, however, the traditional anatomic descriptors may be less confusing.</p><p>When the term <strong>coronary sinus </strong>is used in conjunction with a modifier (e.g., left or right), it should not be confused for the venous <a href="/articles/coronary-sinus">coronary sinus</a>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/sinus-of-valsalva-aneurysm">sinus of valsalva aneurysm</a></li></ul>
  • +</ul><p>The former terms are used routinely in clinical vernacular, while the latter are used in some anatomic texts <sup>2</sup>. When there are <a href="/articles/congenital-coronary-artery-anomalies">congenital coronary artery anomalies</a>, however, the traditional anatomic descriptors may be less confusing.</p><p>When the term <strong>coronary sinus </strong>is used in conjunction with a modifier (e.g. left or right), it should not be confused for the venous <a href="/articles/coronary-sinus">coronary sinus</a>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/sinus-of-valsalva-aneurysm">sinus of Valsalva aneurysm</a></li></ul>

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