Definition
noun, plural: atrioventricular valves
The heart valve between the upper atrium and the lower ventricle, and comprised of the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve
Supplement
The atrioventricular valve is one of the two types of heart valves in humans. The other is called semilunar valve. There are two atrioventricular valves in a human heart. These two are located between the upper atria and the lower ventricles. Each of them is comprised of the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve.
The mitral valve (also called bicuspid valve and left atrioventricular valve) is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. It has two triangular flaps of tissues that open to allow blood flow into the left ventricle. When closed, it prevents the back flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
The tricuspid valve (also called right atrioventricular valve) is the valve located on the right side of the heart between the right atrium and the right ventricle. It is the heart valve that opens to allow the passage of blood into the right ventricle and closes to prevent the back flow of blood into the right atrium.
See also:
- bicuspid valve
- tricuspid valve
- heart valve
- semilunar valve
- ventricle
- atrium
