Which valve is best heard at the second right intercostal space?

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

Answer: (A)

The key idea is where each heart valve’s sounds are best heard on the chest wall. The aortic valve sits behind the right second intercostal space at the sternal border, so sounds from this valve are most audible there (this area is also where the A2 component of S2 is typically heard).

In contrast, the pulmonic valve is best heard at the left second intercostal space (pulmonic area), the mitral valve at the apex (left 5th intercostal space midclavicular line), and the tricuspid valve along the left lower sternal border (roughly 4th–5th intercostal spaces).

So the right second intercostal space is the classic spot to listen for the aortic valve, making it the best answer.