The mitral valve (also known as the bicuspid
valve) is located in
the heart.
It is known as the "bicuspid valve" because it is formed from
two (bi-) cusps. However, it is also known as the "mitral valve" and
so it is important to recognise and understand both of these terms.
The mitral valve (in the heart) 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 (from the left ventrile to the left
atrium).
The cusps of the mitral 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). |
