aortic valve cusp
Individual leaflet of the tricuspid aortic valve, named anatomically as right coronary, left coronary, or non-coronary cusp.
Full Definition
One of the three semilunar leaflets that comprise the aortic valve, each named according to its relationship to the coronary artery ostia. The right coronary cusp lies adjacent to the right coronary artery origin, the left coronary cusp adjacent to the left main coronary artery, and the non-coronary cusp (also called posterior cusp) faces the left atrium without an adjacent coronary ostium. Each cusp consists of three layers: the fibrosa (providing structural strength), the spongiosa (shock-absorbing middle layer), and the ventricularis (smooth ventricular surface). Understanding cusp anatomy is essential for aortic valve repair procedures, as specific repair techniques target individual cusps. Cusp pathology may include prolapse, restriction, perforation, or thickening, and accurate identification of the affected cusp is crucial for surgical planning and valve reconstruction techniques.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify which cusp (right coronary, left coronary, or non-coronary) when describing pathology.
In Context
- "The right coronary cusp showed prolapse with a central perforation requiring patch repair." — operative report
- "Intraoperative inspection revealed thickening of the non-coronary cusp with restricted motion." — surgical findings