| aortic curtain | An intertrigonal sheet of fibrous tissue between the aortic annulus and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| aortic dissection | A pathologic process, characterised by splitting of the media layer of the aorta, which leads to formation of a dissecting aneurysm. Classified according to location as follows: type I involves the ascending aorta, transverse arch, and distal aorta; type II is confined to the ascending aorta; type III extends distally in the descending aorta. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic dissection: aetiology | <radiology> Usually degenerative, due to aging, increased risk: hypertension, bicuspic aortic valve, aortic coarctation, pregnancy, connective tissue disorder (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos), skeletal abnormalities (scoliosis, pectus), mycotic aneurysm, Takayasu (giant cell) arteritis, aortic laceration see also: classification (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic dissection: classification | <radiology> DeBakey: I ascending aorta to arch with or without descending aorta (30%), II ascending aorta only (20%), III descending aorta to thoracic aorta (50%), Stanford: A involvement of ascending aorta (regardless of origin), B aortic arch and distal aorta see also: aetiology mnemomics: 1 A.D. (DeBakey), A = Ascending (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic dwarfism | Underdevelopment of physical stature associated with severe aortic stenosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic facies | The pale sallow complexion of one suffering from incompetence of the aortic valve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic foramen | The opening in the diaphragm bounded by the two crura, the vertebral column, and the median arcuate ligament, through which pass the aorta and thoracic duct. Synonym: hiatus aorticus, aortic foramen, aortic opening. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic hiatus | The opening in the diaphragm bounded by the two crura, the vertebral column, and the median arcuate ligament, through which pass the aorta and thoracic duct. Synonym: hiatus aorticus, aortic foramen, aortic opening. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic incompetence | Defective closure of the aortic valve permitting regurgitation into the left ventricle during diastole. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic knob | The prominent shadow of the aortic arch on a frontal chest radiograph. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic knuckle | The contour of the aortic arch protruding from the mediastinal silhouette in an anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the chest. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic laceration | <radiology> Deceleration injury, 80% at aortic isthmus (just distal to insertion of lig. Arteriosum), other sites: proximal ascending aorta, descending aorta at diaphragmatic hiatus, transverse aortic arch, laceration usually transverse, all layers involved in only 40% (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic lymphatic plexus | A plexus of lymph nodes and connecting vessels lying along the lower portion of the abdominal aorta. Synonym: plexus aorticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic murmur | A murmur produced at the aortic orifice, either obstructive or regurgitant. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of the vagus which ends in the aortic arch and base of the heart; composed entirely of afferent fibres; its stimulation elicits a brainstem reflex which causes slowing of the heart, dilation of the peripheral vessels, and a fall in blood pressure. Synonym: Cyon's nerve, depressor nerve of Ludwig, Ludwig's nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |