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A supernumerary cusp in the human pulmonary valve

K Shimada1, A Yokoi, T Kitagawa

  • 1Department of Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

A rare supernumerary cusp was discovered in the pulmonary trunk valve of a 75-year-old Japanese male. This anatomical variation, found during necropsy, highlights the diversity of human cardiovascular structures.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Anatomy
  • Medical Pathology
  • Human Morphology

Background:

  • The pulmonary trunk valve, typically tricuspid, regulates blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
  • Anatomical variations in heart valves can have implications for cardiovascular health and surgical procedures.
  • Necropsy studies are crucial for documenting rare congenital and acquired cardiovascular anomalies.

Observation:

  • A 75-year-old Japanese male subject presented with an unusual pulmonary trunk valve structure.
  • The pulmonary valve was observed to possess four cusps instead of the typical three.
  • The supernumerary cusp was situated between the right and left cusps, differing in size and shape.

Findings:

  • A supernumerary (fourth) cusp was identified in the pulmonary trunk valve.
  • The four cusps of the pulmonary valve exhibited variations in size and morphology.
  • This finding occurred in one case out of 1,100 consecutive necropsies examined.

Implications:

  • This case contributes to the understanding of pulmonary valve morphology and its variations.
  • Documenting such anomalies is important for comparative anatomy and potential clinical relevance.
  • Further research may explore the functional or pathological significance of supernumerary pulmonary valve cusps.

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