The left 2nd interspace is best for listening to which valve?

The left 2nd interspace is best for listening to which valve?

• A. Pulmonary valve
• B. Aortic valve
• C. Mitral valve
• D. Tricuspid valve

Answer: (A)

The left second intercostal space over the left sternal border is the pulmonic valve listening post. This area lies over the anterior outflow tract where the right ventricle feeds into the pulmonary trunk, so sounds and murmurs from the pulmonic valve are best heard there. In contrast, the aortic valve is best heard at the right second intercostal space, the mitral valve at the apex (left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line), and the tricuspid valve along the left lower sternal border (roughly around the 4th intercostal space). Thus the left second interspace mainly relates to the pulmonic valve.

The left second intercostal space over the left sternal border is the pulmonic valve listening post. This area lies over the anterior outflow tract where the right ventricle feeds into the pulmonary trunk, so sounds and murmurs from the pulmonic valve are best heard there.

In contrast, the aortic valve is best heard at the right second intercostal space, the mitral valve at the apex (left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line), and the tricuspid valve along the left lower sternal border (roughly around the 4th intercostal space). Thus the left second interspace mainly relates to the pulmonic valve.