An aortic sinus, also known as a sinus of Valsalva, is one of the anatomic dilations of the ascending aorta, which occurs just above the aortic valve. These widenings are between the wall of the aorta and each of the three cusps of the aortic valve.

The sinuses of Valsalva are dilated cavities between the aortic leaflets and the ascending aortic wall. They are subdivided into the left, right and posterior sinuses. The sinuses are characterized structurally by their bulging shape protruding into the aortic wall.

The sinuses of Valsalva, also known as aortic sinuses, are the anatomic spaces at the aortic root bounded internally by the aortic valve leaflets and externally by outward bulges of the aortic wall.

Immediately above the aortic valve are the aortic sinuses, which are also called the sinuses of Valsalva. Normally there are three sinuses corresponding to the three aortic valve cusps: right, left, and noncoronary.The sinuses bulge slightly above the valve, and the coronary arteries typically arise from the left and right sinuses.