Valve of inferior vena cava

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
Gray493.png

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD