The Structure and Function of Heart Valves

• The atrioventricular (AV) valves are located between the atria and the ventricles
• Each AV valve has

  • ring of connective tissue attached to cardiac skeleton of heart
  • connective tissue cusps, close the opening between heart chambers
  • chordae tendinae attach margins of cusps to papillary muscles
  • papillary muscles tense chordae tendinae
• Chordae tendinae and papillary muscles are essential to prevent regurgitation
• Regurgitation, or backflow
• The pulmonary valve is located at the junction between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
• The aortic valve is located at the junction between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta
• Stethoscope is an instrument to listen to normal and abnormal heart sounds