bild

Aortic valve of the heart, gross specimen. The aortic valve (white, upper centre) allows blood to be pumped out of the left ventricle to the rest of the body through the aorta, the body's main artery. The valve prevents back flow of blood into the heart. The valve is formed of three cusps of tissue (not clearly seen here). Heart failure can result if the valve does not function correctly. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CNRI)