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Aortic valve leaflets (anatomy)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The aortic valve leaflets are three in number:

  • right
  • left
  • posterior

As with the other heart valves:

  • each leaflet has a central lamina fibrosa which is attached to the fibrous annulus of the valve
  • surrounding the lamina fibrosa is a layer of endocardium

However, the aortic valve leaflets are notable for:

  • prominent thickening of the lamina fibrosa at the centre of the free margin of each leaflet; forms the fibrous nodules of each leaflet. When the valve is closed, the three nodules meet centrally.
  • the leaflets being thicker than those of the pulmonary valve
  • the region between the leaflets being relatively thin due to a paucity of fibrous tissue - the lunules of each cusp
  • the aortic surface of the endocardium being rougher in nature than the ventricular surface
  • the aortic sinuses lying superior to each leaflet

There is some variability as to the terminology of the various valves - see submenu.

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