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Aug 31, 2023 · Right atrioventricular valve. Valva atrioventricularis dextra. 1/4. Synonyms: Tricuspid valve, Valva tricuspidalis. Understanding heart valves anatomy is important in grasping the overall function of the heart. The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. It is responsible for propelling blood to every organ system, including itself.
- Valvular Heart Disease
One class of valves regulate the flow of blood from the...
- Surface Projections of The Heart
Borders of the heart. The heart is placed within the middle...
- Cardiac Skeleton
The fibrous skeleton of the heart, also called the cardiac...
- Atria
Basic anatomy of the heart. The heart is at the center of...
- Coronary Vessels
Coronary arteries and cardiac veins. The heart is a...
- Auscultation
Heart sounds are most often described by the “lub-dub”...
- Ventricles
The heart is made up of four muscular chambers that work...
- Intercostal Space
Intercostal spaces The eleven paired intercostal spaces...
- Valvular Heart Disease
- Overview
- Function
- Anatomy
- Conditions and Disorders
- Care
- Additional Common Questions
As your heart pumps blood, four valves open and close to make sure blood flows in the correct direction. As they open and close, they make two sounds that create the sound of a heartbeat. The four valves are the aortic valve, mitral valve, pulmonary valve and tricuspid valve. A heart murmur is often the first sign of a heart valve problem.
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OverviewFunctionAnatomyConditions and DisordersCareAdditional Common Questions
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How do the heart valves work?
A healthy heart transports blood in a predictable route through four chambers. The four chambers are the left and right atria on the top of your heart and the left and right ventricles on the bottom. Between chambers, there are valves, which are made of thin but strong flaps of tissue. They’re called leaflets or cusps. The valves open and close to help blood move along its path: Blood that needs oxygen flows from your body into the right atrium. It then flows through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps the blood through the pulmonary valve and into your lungs, where it picks up oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood then flows to the left atrium. The heart pumps blood through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. From the left ventricle, the blood flows through the aortic valve to the rest of your body.
What are the four valves of the heart, and what do they do?
Each valve has a specific location, structure and job: Tricuspid valve: This valve has three leaflets. They allow blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. They also prevent blood from flowing backward from the right ventricle to the right atrium. Pulmonary valve: This valve also has three leaflets. They allow blood to pump from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. This artery leads to the lungs, where blood picks up oxygen. The pulmonary valve prevents blood from going backward from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle. Mitral valve: This valve has two leaflets. They allow blood to flow from the lungs into the left atrium. And they prevent backward flow from the left ventricle to the left atrium. Aortic valve: This valve has three leaflets. They open to let blood flow from your heart’s left ventricle to the aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body. It brings oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The aortic valve prevents backward flow from the aorta into the left ventricle. Advertisement
What conditions and disorders can affect the heart valves?
If a heart valve doesn’t work correctly, your heart might have to work harder to pump blood. Heart valve problems can be related to: Changes to your body as you age. Congenital heart disease, birth defects in valve structure (for example, missing leaflets or leaflets with the wrong size or shape). Infections. Underlying conditions, such as diabetes or another heart problem. There are three main types of heart valve problems. Each type of problem can happen in any of the four valves: Regurgitation: Regurgitation is the backward flow of blood because a valve doesn’t close properly. Another name for regurgitation is leaking heart valve. One specific type of regurgitation is prolapse. Prolapse involves a leaflet flopping or bulging backward. It tends to occur in the mitral valve. Stenosis: Stenosis occurs when a valve’s leaflets get thick or stiff or stick together. Atresia: Atresia means that a valve is missing.
What are the symptoms of heart valve problems?
Some people can have a heart valve condition but not have any symptoms at all. Heart valve conditions tend to get worse over time, so symptoms may appear as a person gets older. The sound of your heartbeat is the sound of your heart valves opening and closing. The first sign of a heart valve problem is often a heart murmur (an unusual sound when your heart beats). However, a heart murmur can happen even when there are no valve problems. This is called an innocent heart murmur. Other signs and symptoms of a heart valve problem may include: Chest pain. Dizziness. Fainting. Fatigue (feeling extremely tired). Feeling of fluttering or racing in your chest. Shortness of breath, especially when exercising or lying down. Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs or belly. Advertisement
How can I keep my heart healthier with a heart valve condition?
If you have a heart valve condition, you can help keep your heart healthier and prevent complications with these strategies: Avoid smoking. Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol. Eat a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated and trans fats and loaded with fruits and veggies. Exercise regularly. Have regular checkups with a primary care provider so they can listen to your heart and catch any problems early. Take antibiotics before dental and other procedures. Tell all of your healthcare providers, including your dentist, that you have a heart valve issue.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
If you have a heart valve problem, you should be cautious about endocarditis (heart infections). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of infection, including body aches, fever or sore throat. A note from Cleveland Clinic Your heart contains four valves that open and close to control the flow of blood through it. The valves can become damaged by age, infection or other chronic conditions, and some people are born with heart valve defects. A heart murmur is often the first sign of a heart valve problem, even before symptoms start. Have regular checkups to make sure your heart and its valves are functioning well. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/14/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
- Heart anatomy. The heart has five surfaces: base (posterior), diaphragmatic (inferior), sternocostal (anterior), and left and right pulmonary surfaces. It also has several margins: right, left, superior, and inferior
- Heart valves. Heart valves separate atria from ventricles, and ventricles from great vessels. The valves incorporate two or three leaflets (cusps) around the atrioventricular orifices and the roots of great vessels.
- Blood flow through the heart. The blood flow through the heart is quite logical. It happens with the heart cycle, which consists of the periodical contraction and relaxation of the atrial and ventricular myocardium (heart muscle tissue).
- Coronary circulation. The heart must also be supplied with oxygenated blood. This is done by the two coronary arteries: left and right. Heart muscles work constantly (thank goodness!)
Dec 22, 2017 · The valves of the heart are structures which ensure blood flows in only one direction. They are composed of connective tissue and endocardium (the inner layer of the heart). There are four valves of the heart, which are divided into two categories: Atrioventricular valves: The tricuspid valve and mitral (bicuspid) valve. They are located ...
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Normal valves have 3 flaps (leaflets), except the mitral valve. It only has 2 flaps. The 4 heart valves are: Tricuspid valve. This valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Pulmonary valve. The pulmonary valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Mitral valve. This valve is located between ...
Feb 14, 2023 · The four valves of the heart allow blood to flow through the heart in the right direction. The valves open or close each time the heart beats. Problems with the heart valves can lead to ...
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How do heart valves work?
The valves prevent the backward flow of blood. These valves are actual flaps that are located on each end of the two ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). They act as one-way inlets of blood on one side of a ventricle and one-way outlets of blood on the other side of a ventricle. Each valve actually has three flaps, except the mitral valve ...
