An aortic sinus is one of the anatomic dilations of the ascending aorta, which occurs just above the aortic valve.
There are generally three aortic sinuses: the left posterior, the anterior, and the right posterior.
- The left posterior aortic sinus gives rise to the left coronary artery.
- The anterior aortic sinus gives rise to the right coronary artery.
- Usually, no vessels arise from the right posterior aortic sinus, which is therefore known as the non-coronary sinus.
Each aortic sinus can also be referred to as the sinus of Valsalva, the sinus of Morgagni, the sinus of Mehta, the sinus of Otto, or Petit's sinus.