Fig

Senile calcific aortic stenosis

An aortic valve need not be bicuspid to calcify. Sometimes in older adults, a normal tricuspid aortic valve will undergo calcification, a so-called "senile calcific aortic stenosis." Nodules of calcification are seen on the cusps here.
Normal

Calcific bicuspid aortic valve

Congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Most bicuspid valves are prone to calcification. The dense white nodules of calcification are present on either valve surface. The valve here has been opened with the aortic outflow above and the left ventricular myocardium below.