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[The atrio-ventricular junction: descriptive aspects]
Bulletin De L'Association Des Anatomistes
|December 1, 1980
Summary
The atrio-ventricular junction, or AV ring, is a fragile lamina, not a tendinous ring, anchoring heart valves. Its crescent shape and segments are crucial for understanding potential surgical risks and valve function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Cardiac Surgery
- Embryology
Context:
- The classical description of the atrio-ventricular (AV) junction, or AV ring, is insufficient for surgical applications.
- Recent anatomical and embryological studies offer new insights into the AV junction's structure.
Purpose:
- To provide a revised and more accurate description of the atrio-ventricular junction.
- To clarify the structural characteristics and anatomical relationships of the AV ring.
Summary:
- The AV junction is a fragile, non-conductive fibrous lamina, not a tendinous ring, anchoring AV valves.
- It has a crescent shape, divisible into aorto-septal (tougher) and scissural (fragile) segments.
- The aorto-septal segment relates closely to the aortic root and cardiac junctional zone; the scissural segment is prone to stretching, potentially causing valve insufficiency.
Impact:
- This revised description highlights the AV ring's fragility and its implications for cardiac valve surgery.
- Understanding the AV ring's structure is critical for avoiding complications during valve repair or replacement.
- The findings emphasize the need for careful surgical technique when operating near the AV junction to prevent functional valve insufficiency.