The aortic valve is one of the four main valves in the human heart, serving as the final "gatekeeper" that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta . Its primary function is to ensure that oxygen-rich blood moves in a single direction—out to the rest of the body—while preventing any backflow into the heart. Anatomy and Structure
Each leaflet is composed of three distinct layers: the fibrosa (aortic side, primarily collagen), the spongiosa (middle layer, shock-absorbing), and the ventricularis (ventricular side, rich in elastin). aortic valve
Aortic Valve: Function, Location & Anatomy - Cleveland Clinic The aortic valve is one of the four
Directly behind each cusp are elliptical depressions in the aortic wall that house the openings ( ostia ) to the coronary arteries, ensuring the heart muscle receives its own blood supply during diastole. Function in the Cardiac Cycle Aortic Valve: Function, Location & Anatomy - Cleveland