Cardiac valve

Cardiac Valve

A cardiac valve is a type of valve found in the heart that facilitates the unidirectional flow of blood through the heart chambers. The human heart consists of four cardiac valves: the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonary valve.

Function

The primary function of the cardiac valves is to maintain the forward flow of blood through the heart and prevent the backward flow. This is achieved through a process known as the cardiac cycle, which involves the coordinated opening and closing of these valves.

Structure

Each cardiac valve is composed of endocardium-covered leaflets or cusps, which are made of dense connective tissue. The number of leaflets varies among the valves. The aortic and pulmonary valves, known as the semilunar valves, each have three leaflets, while the mitral and tricuspid valves, known as the atrioventricular valves, have two and three leaflets respectively.

Disorders

Cardiac valve disorders can occur due to a variety of reasons, including congenital heart disease, infection, aging, and heart attack. These disorders can lead to stenosis (narrowing of the valve), regurgitation (leakage of the valve), or atresia (absence of the valve opening). Common treatments for cardiac valve disorders include medication, valve repair, and valve replacement.

See Also

• Heart
• Cardiology
• Cardiac surgery
• Valvular heart disease