Study Question Four

• Q4. Explain what the structure and function of each cardiac valve is.
• Explain what the structure and function of each cardiac valve is.

  The tricuspid valve, the right atrioventricular valve, is between the right atrium and right ventricle. This valve has three cusps and is attached to papillary muscles via chordae tendinae. It opens to allow blood to travel from the right atrium to the right ventricle during atrial contraction and closes during ventricular contraction to prevent regurgitation.
• Explain what the structure and function of each cardiac valve is.

  The bicuspid or mitral valve, the left atrioventricular valve, is between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve has two cusps and is attached to papillary muscles via chordae tendinae. It opens to allow blood to travel from the left atrium to the left ventricle during atrial contraction and closes during ventricular contraction to prevent regurgitation.
• Explain what the structure and function of each cardiac valve is.

  The pulmonary valve, a semilunar valve, is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. This valve has three cusps. This valve opens when the right ventricle contracts, allowing blood to flow into the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. It closes when the pressure in the pulmonary artery exceeds the pressure in the right ventricle during ventricular relaxation (diastole), preventing backflow into the ventricle.
• Explain what the structure and function of each cardiac valve is.


  The aortic valve, a semilunar valve, is between the left ventricle and the aorta. This valve has three cusps. This valve opens when the left ventricle contracts, allowing oxygenated blood to flow into the aorta and then to the rest of the body. It closes when the left ventricle relaxes during diastole, preventing the backflow of blood into the ventricle.