Aortic root

The aortic root is a complex anatomical structure that serves as the bridge between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta [3, 7]. It encompasses the aortic annulus, the sinuses of Valsalva, the sinotubular junction, and the aortic valve leaflets [3, 4]. Its primary biological function is to support the aortic valve, ensuring unidirectional blood flow and maintaining coronary artery perfusion during the cardiac cycle [7, 10]. Pathological changes in the aortic root, such as dilation or calcification, are central to diseases like aortic aneurysms, dissections, and valvular stenosis [2, 5, 6]. While not a molecular target itself, the aortic root is a critical focus for surgical and transcatheter interventions, and its cellular components (like valvular interstitial cells) are targets for pharmacological research into matrix remodeling and calcification [5, 11].

Other names

Aortic annulusSinuses of ValsalvaSinotubular junctionVentricular-aortic junction

Pharmacological management typically involves Angiotensin II receptor antagonism or Beta-adrenergic blockade to reduce wall stress and slow dilation; surgical interventions include root replacement or valve-sparing repair [2, 8, 9].