Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (teh-TRAL-uh-jee of fuh-LOW) [tetra=four]: a birth defect consisting of four heart defects present at birth.

1. Overriding Aorta (AO) – The aorta is the main artery carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. An overriding aorta is larger than normal and centered over both ventricles of the heart. (In a normal heart, the aorta rises from the left ventricle.)
2. Pulmonary Valve Stenosis (stenosis) [pulmonary=related to the lungs, valve=a folding door, stenosis=narrowing]: a narrowing at or below the pulmonary artery (PA) valve. The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor blood back from the body to the heart.
3. Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)[ventricles=lower chambers of the heart, septal=wall, defect=flaw]: one or more holes in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart.
4. Right Ventricle Hypertrohpy [hyper=above or excessive]: the right ventricle is bulkier than normal (thickening of muscle fibers) due to pumping at high pressures within the heart.

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