The tricuspid valve is located in
the heart and is known as the "tricuspid valve" because
it is formed from three (tri-) cusps.
The tricuspid valve consists of three flaps known
as "cusps" attached to the walls between the right
atrium (RA) and the right
ventricle (RV). This valve enables blood to
pass from the right atrium of the heart to the right ventricle of the heart
- while also preventing flow
of blood in the opposite direction (from the right ventricle to the right
atrium).
The cusps of the tricuspid valve work in the same way as the cusps
of the bicuspid
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). |
