Back
Print 

Aortic valve

Skip Navigation

Top of the page

The aortic valve separates the lower left chamber (left ventricle) of the heart and the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

The aortic valve works like a one-way gate, opening so that blood from the left ventricle—the heart's main pump—can be pushed into the aorta. When the heart rests between beats, the aortic valve closes to keep blood from flowing backward into the heart.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.