Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart

Running head: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1
Anatomy and Physiology
Name
Institution

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2
Assignment 1
The aortic, the tricuspid, the mitral, and the pulmonary valves are the four valves found in the
heart. The mitral/bicuspid valve is flanked on both sides by the left ventricle and the left atrium.
It is made up of strong flaps of tissues known as leaflets that include the posterior and anterior
leaflets. These leaflets are supported by the annulus and chordae tendinae that help in
maintaining the proper shape of the valves (Spilsbury & Spilsbury, 2018). The mitral valve
opens for blood to drain into the left ventricle and then closes to stop reversing to left atrium.
The tricuspid valve is flanked by the right ventricle and the right atrium on its sides. It has three
leaflets that prevent blood from flowing in reverse. Blood lacking oxygen from all body organs
enters the heart via the vena cava. The tricuspid valve then opens to initiate blood movement into
the right ventricle from where it is transported to the lungs for oxygenation (Spilsbury &
Spilsbury, 2018). It then closes thus stopping blood from reversing into the right atrium.
The aortic valve is found amid the aorta and the left ventricle. It has 3 leaflets that provide it with
support. This valve opens for blood leaving the heart via the aorta from the left ventricle into
body organs. It also closes to hold blood rich in oxygen in the left chamber of the heart before
being circulated around the body (Spilsbury & Spilsbury, 2018).
The pulmonic valve is found in the middle of the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery and it
has 3 leaflets (Spilsbury & Spilsbury, 2018). It opens for outgoing deoxygenated blood into the
lungs via the pulmonary artery and closes thus preventing backflow of blood.