Sinus aortae is a term used to describe the dilated portion of the ascending aorta from which the coronary arteries arise. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first syllable, "si", is pronounced as /sɪ/ with a short "i" vowel sound. The second syllable, "nus", is pronounced as /nʌs/ with an "uh" sound. The third syllable, "aor", is pronounced as /eɪɔr/ with a long "a" and an "or" diphthong. The final syllable, "tae", is pronounced as /teɪ/ with a long "a" sound.
Sinus aortae refers to the three dilated areas present in the aortic wall, particularly at its base where the aorta emerges from the heart. These sinuses are located just above the aortic valve and are named after their positions in relation to the cusps of the valve, namely the left, right, and posterior sinuses.
The sinus aortae serve important functional purposes. The right and left sinuses are the locations where the origins of the right and left coronary arteries respectively arise. These coronary arteries are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscles.
Apart from their functional significance, the sinus aortae are also crucial in preventing the aortic valve cusps from sticking together, allowing for proper opening and closing of the valve during circulation. This helps to ensure the efficient flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta, and subsequently to the rest of the body.
Pathological conditions related to the sinus aortae include aortic root aneurysm, where the wall of the sinus proximal to the aortic valve expands abnormally, and aortic valve stenosis, which is a narrowing and hardening of the aortic valve cusps resulting in restricted blood flow. Surgical procedures like aortic valve replacement may be required to address these conditions and restore normal blood flow.
S. Valsalvae, the space between each semilunar valve and the wall of the aorta.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The phrase "sinus aortae" is a Latin term that can be translated as "aortic sinus" in English.
"Sinus" in Latin means "curve", "fold", or "hollow", while "aortae" is the genitive form of the Latin word "aorta", meaning "the great artery". The term "aortic" refers to the aorta, the main artery that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
In anatomy, the term "sinus aortae" specifically refers to the dilated spaces or pouches found at the base of the aorta, with three such sinuses known as the left, right, and posterior sinuses of Valsalva. These sinuses correspond to the origins of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with blood.