| aortic-pulmonic window | The indentation of the left side of the mediastinum by the lung partially interposed between the aortic arch and the left pulmonary artery, seen on frontal radiographs of the chest. Synonym: aortic-pulmonic window. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| aortic reflex | A fall in blood pressure due to peripheral vasodilation and cardiac inhibition by stimulations of terminations of a cardiac depressor nerve in the aortic arch and base of the heart. Synonym: aortic reflex, depressor reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic regurgitation | A congenital or acquired heart valve abnormality that results in the abnormal back flow of blood in the aorta, through an incompetent aortic valve and into the left ventricle. Chronic aortic insufficiency leads to enlargement of the left ventricle and pulmonary congestion. If left uncorrected, congestive heart failure will result. Aortic valve replacement is eventually necessary in most cases of significant valvular incompetence. (27 Sep 1997) |
| aortic regurgitation: aetiology | <radiology> INTRINSIC VALVE DISEASE, congenital bicuspid valve, rheumatic endocarditis, bacterial endocarditis (perforation / prolapse of cusp), myxomatous valve associated with cystic medial necrosis, prosthetic valve: mechanical break, thrombosis, paravalvular leak PRIMARY DISEASE OF ASCENDING AORTA, dilatation of the aortic annulus, syphilitic aortitis, ankylosing spondylitis (5-10%), Reiter disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic medial necrosis: Marfan syndrome, laceration, decelerating trauma; hypertension see: aortic regurgitation (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic rupture | Tearing of aortic tissue. It may be rupture of an aneurysm or it may be due to trauma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic sac | In mammalian embryos, the endothelially lined dilation just distal to the truncus arteriosus; it is the primordial vascular channel from which the aortic arches arise and is homologous to the ventral aorta of gill-bearing vertebrates. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic septal defect | A small congenital opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery about 1 cm above the semilunar valves, e.g., aorticopulmonary window. Synonym: aorticopulmonary window. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic spindle | A fusiform dilation of the aorta immediately beyond the isthmus. Synonym: His' spindle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic stenosis | Progressive narrowing of the aortic valve resulting in the obstructed passage of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta. Causes for aortic stenosis include rheumatic fever, congenital and idiopathic sclerosis. Chronic stenosis can lead to left ventricular enlargement and congestive heart failure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| aortic sulcus | A broad deep groove on the medial aspect of the left lung above and behind the hilum receiving the arch of the aorta and the thoracic aorta. Synonym: sulcus aorticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic ultrasound | An ultrasound examination of the aorta to determine its size, shape and course. The diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be made using this test. (27 Sep 1997) |
| aortic valve | The heart valve that divides the left ventricle and the aorta. The aortic valve opens during left ventricular contraction and then closes to prohibit the backwash of oxygenated blood from the aorta into the ventricle. The aortic valve has 3 valve cusps. (27 Sep 1997) |
| aortic valve insufficiency | Backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle, owing to imperfect functioning of the aortic semilunar valve. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic valve prolapse | The downward displacement of the cuspal material (misalignment of the cusps) below a line joining points of attachment of the aortic valve leaflets. The prolapsed cusp may occlude the ventricular septal defect during ventricular diastole. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic valve stenosis | Narrowing of the orifice of the aortic valve or of the supravalular or subvalvular regions. (12 Dec 1998) |