Definition
noun, plural: mitral valves
The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart, and has two triangular flaps of tissue that opens to allow blood to flow into the left ventricle and closes to prevent blood regurgitation into the left atrium
Supplement
The mitral valve is a valve in the heart located between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. The name comes from the Latin mitra for mitre. The mitral valve resembles the shape of a miter (or mitre). Since the mitral valve consists of two flaps of tissues it is also referred to as bicuspid valve (etymologically, bi– is from Latin, meaning double). Another term for it is left atrioventricular valve because of its anatomical position. The mitral valve together with the tricuspid valve makes up the atrioventricular valves.
During diastole, the mitral valve opens and allows the flow of blood into the left ventricle. The flaps close the passage to prevent the back flow of blood back to the left atrium.
Synonym(s):
- bicuspid valve
- left atrioventricular valve
Compare:
See also:
- heart
- atrioventricular valve
- bicuspid aortic valve
- heart valve
- chordae tendineae
- mitral valve insufficiency
- mitral valve prolapse
- bicuspidization
- mitral incompetence
- mitral regurgitation
- bicuspid aortic valve
