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Sinus of V alsalva: a converging nozzle that contributes to stable flow in the coronary arteries
Author(s) -
Stein Paul D.,
Blick Edward F.,
Shields Sarah Kim,
Matta Fadi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1469-7580
pISSN - 0021-8782
DOI - 10.1111/joa.12192
Subject(s) - nozzle , sinus (botany) , turbulence , valsalva maneuver , coronary arteries , coronary sinus , anatomy , medicine , rotational symmetry , cardiology , mechanics , physics , artery , biology , blood pressure , thermodynamics , botany , genus
The anatomy of the sinuses of V alsalva has not been considered from the viewpoint of a converging nozzle. Converging nozzles reduce turbulence. We reviewed computed tomographic images of the left and right sinuses of V alsalva in 20 consecutive patients. The sinuses of V alsalva were shown to have a shape in the axial projection that approximates a cubic equation nozzle, although the sinuses of V alsalva are not axisymmetric. The ratios of the cross‐sectional area of the inlet to cross‐sectional areas of the outlet, assuming the sinuses are axisymmetric, were 14 and 17 in the left and right sinuses, respectively. Calculations by others show that turbulent kinetic energy at the exit (at the coronary ostia) of such axisymmetric nozzles would be reduced by 97%. We conclude that the sinuses of V alsalva have the configuration of a converging nozzle and prevent or reduce turbulent flow in the proximal portions of the coronary arteries.