Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

In anatomy, AP stands for anteroposterior: from front-to-back. For example, an AP X-ray of the chest is taken from front-to-back. AP in this respect is the opposite of PA, which stands for posteroanterior: from back-to-front.

AP is a versatile abbreviation. It serves in cardiology to abbreviate angina pectoris (AP) and arterial pressure (AP). In endocrinology, it stands for the anterior pituitary (AP). And in anatomy, AP means anteroposterior, i.e., from front-to-back.

Inflammation of the aorta. The causes of aortitis include syphilis and rheumatic fever.

Whereas the normal aortic valve in the heart has three flaps (cusps) that open and close, a bicuspid valve has only two. There may be no symptoms in childhood, but in time the valve may become stenotic (narrowed), making it harder for blood to pass through it, or the valve may start to let blood leak backwards…

One of the four valves in the heart, this valve is situated at exit of the left ventricle of the heart where the aorta (the largest of all arteries) begins. The aortic valve lets blood from the left ventricle be pumped up (ejected) into the aorta but prevents blood once it is in the aorta from returning to the heart.

Narrowing (stenosis) of the aortic valve, the valve between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta. This narrowing impedes the delivery of blood to the body through the aorta and makes the heart work harder. The need for surgery depends on the degree of stenosis. A procedure called balloon valvuloplasty has been used in some cases of aortic stenosis.

The return of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle of the heart due to aortic valve insufficiency, incomplete closure of the aortic valve.

Backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle across a weakened aortic valve. Also known as aortic regurgitation.

A progressive tear in the aorta. The inner lining (intima) of the aorta tears and blood surges through the tear, creating a new false channel and separating (dissecting) the middle layer (media) from the outer layer of the aorta. Aortic dissection usually occurs in the thoracic aorta, less often the abdominal aorta. About three-fourths of aortic dissections occur…

Congenital absence of the normal valvular opening from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta. Atresia here refers to the absence of a normal opening.