Valve of inferior vena cava

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Valve of inferior vena cava

The valve of the inferior vena cava, also known as the Eustachian valve, is a structure located in the heart. It is a remnant of a fetal structure that directs blood flow from the inferior vena cava (IVC) towards the foramen ovale during fetal development. In adults, the valve is typically non-functional and may be absent or vestigial.

Anatomy

The valve of the inferior vena cava is situated at the junction where the inferior vena cava enters the right atrium of the heart. It is a thin, crescent-shaped fold of endocardium. In the fetal heart, the Eustachian valve plays a crucial role in directing oxygen-rich blood from the placenta through the foramen ovale into the left atrium, bypassing the non-functional fetal lungs.

Function

In the fetal circulation, the Eustachian valve helps to ensure that oxygenated blood from the placenta is efficiently delivered to the systemic circulation. After birth, when the foramen ovale closes and the lungs become functional, the valve of the inferior vena cava loses its purpose. In most adults, it remains as a small, non-functional fold of tissue.

Clinical Significance

While the valve of the inferior vena cava is generally of no clinical significance in adults, it can occasionally be involved in certain medical conditions. For example, it may be mistaken for a pathological structure during echocardiography or other imaging studies. Rarely, it can be associated with right atrial thrombus formation or other cardiac anomalies.

Related Structures

• Foramen ovale
• Inferior vena cava
• Right atrium
• Endocardium

See Also

• Heart
• Fetal circulation
• Cardiovascular system