Bicuspid valve
This section is about
Structures of the Heart
The bicuspid valve, which is also known as the mitral valve, is located in the heart.
It is called the 'bicuspid valve' because it is formed from two (bi-) cusps. As it is also known as the 'mitral valve', it is useful to recognize both of these expressions.
The bicuspid valve consists of two flaps known as 'cusps' attached to the walls between the left atrium (LA) and the left ventricle (LV). This valve enables blood to pass from the left atrium of the heart to the left ventricle of the heart while also preventing flow of blood in the opposite direction, i.e. from the left ventricle to the left atrium.
The cusps of the bicuspid valve work in the same way as the cusps of the tricuspid valve. That is, in order for blood to pass from an atrium to a ventricle, an atrioventricular valve must open. The opening and closing of these valves are controlled by the difference in pressure across the valves (click here for more information about this).
More about the heart and blood circulation:
See the following for more about the heart, blood, blood circulation, disorders of the blood circulation system, and related topics.
- The Structure of the Heart
- The Functions of the Heart
- Systemic Circulation (i.e. blood flow around the body beyond the heart and lungs)
- Pulmonary Circulation (i.e. blood flow through the heart and lungs)
- Heart Conditions, heart problems and disorders, both chronic and acute
- Heart Disease Risk Factors, avoidable and unavoidable
- Discoveries about the circulatory system and how it works
- Books about heart disease.
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