A murmur heard at the aortic area radiating to the neck suggests which condition?

• A. Aortic Regurgitation
• B. Mitral Stenosis
• C. Aortic Stenosis
• D. Tricuspid Regurgitation

Answer: (C)

Radiation of a systolic murmur from the aortic area to the neck is classic for aortic stenosis. In aortic stenosis, an outflow obstruction during systole creates a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo murmur best heard at the right upper sternal border, with audible radiation to the carotid arteries in the neck. This neck radiation reflects turbulent flow traveling along the aorta out toward the carotids.

This pattern helps distinguish it from other valvular murmurs. Aortic regurgitation is a diastolic murmur heard best along the left sternal border and does not typically radiate to the neck. Mitral stenosis is also a diastolic murmur, heard best at the apex with an opening snap. Tricuspid regurgitation is a holosystolic murmur heard best at the left lower sternal border and may radiate to the right sternal border, but not specifically to the neck.