Which valve exits the left ventricle into the aorta?

• A. Aortic (semilunar) valve
• B. Pulmonic (semilunar) valve
• C. Tricuspid valve
• D. Mitral valve

Answer: (A)

The valve that exits the left ventricle into the aorta is the aortic semilunar valve. It sits at the left ventricular outflow tract and opens during systole to eject blood into the aorta, then closes in early diastole to prevent backflow into the ventricle. This distinguishes it from the pulmonic semilunar valve, which is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, and from the atrioventricular valves—the tricuspid between right atrium and right ventricle, and the mitral between left atrium and left ventricle.