Identify in diagrams and images the atrioventricular and semilunar valves in the mammalian heart

Sourav PanNovember 14, 2024

Answered step-by-step

The atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar valves are essential components of the mammalian heart, playing critical roles in regulating blood flow through the heart’s chambers. Below is a description of their locations and functions, along with diagrams that illustrate these structures.

Atrioventricular Valves

Location and Types

• Tricuspid Valve: Located between the right atrium and right ventricle, it has three leaflets.
• Mitral Valve: Situated between the left atrium and left ventricle, it has two leaflets.

Function

The AV valves allow blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles while preventing backflow into the atria during ventricular contraction.

Semilunar Valves

Location and Types

• Aortic Valve: Found between the left ventricle and the aorta, it has three cusps.
• Pulmonary Valve: Located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, it also has three cusps.

Function

The semilunar valves permit blood to exit the ventricles into the arteries while preventing backflow from the arteries into the ventricles during diastole.

Diagrams and Images

1. Diagram of the Heart:
   • A labeled diagram of the heart typically shows both AV and semilunar valves. The tricuspid valve is positioned on the right side, while the mitral valve is on the left. The aortic valve is located at the base of the aorta, and the pulmonary valve is at the base of the pulmonary artery.
2. Detailed Valve Structure:
   • Images may depict each valve’s structure, highlighting their leaflets or cusps. For example, diagrams often illustrate how the tricuspid valve has three flaps while the mitral valve has two.
3. Functional Diagrams:
   • Illustrations showing blood flow through the heart during different phases of the cardiac cycle can help visualize how these valves operate in conjunction with heart contractions.