(kŭsp )
[L. cuspis, point]
1. A rounded or cone-shaped point on the crown of a tooth.
2. One of the leaflike divisions or parts of the valves of the heart.
cuspidate (kŭs′pĭ-dāt″ ), adj.
SEE: bicuspid valve
SEE: semilunar cusp ;
SEE: tricuspid valve
SEE: Carabelli cusp
A cusp of a tooth that tends to forcibly wedge food into interproximal areas, causing an impaction. Cusp points should be rounded, shortened, or reduced with a dental drill.
One of the leaflets of the aortic valve between the left ventricle and the aorta or of the pulmonary valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.