2. A stricture of any canal or orifice.
- Aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart).
When the degree of narrowing becomes significant enough to impede the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the arteries, heart problems develop. Aortic stenosis occurs three times more commonly in men than women.
- Pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve of the heart).
The pulmonary valve is too tight so that the flow of blood from the right ventricle of the heart into the pulmonary artery is impeded. This means the right ventricle must pump harder than normal to overcome the obstruction. If the stenosis is severe, babies may become blue (cyanotic). Older children often have no symptoms. Treatment is needed if the pressure in the right ventricle is higher than normal.
The obstruction can usually be relieved by a procedure called balloon valvuloplasty or by open heart surgery during which the stenotic valve is opened.
- Pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the outlet of the stomach).
Narrowing (stenosis) of the outlet of the stomach so that food cannot pass easily from it into the duodenum, resulting in feeding problems and projectile vomiting.
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the vertebral canal).
Narrowing of the spaces in the spine, resulting in compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues; such as, disks, in the spinal canal. This occurs most often in the lumbar spine (in the lower back) but also occurs in the cervical spine (in the neck) and less often in the thoracic spine (in the upper back).