The main difference between mitral valve and tricuspid valve is that the mitral valve has two cusps, whereas the tricuspid valve has three cusps.
The human heart has four valves: the aortic valve, mitral valve, pulmonary valve, and tricuspid valve. These four valves open and close as your heart pumps blood. Also, the heart valves ensure the unidirectional flow of blood at the correct time and act like doors. These valves allow the blood to flow from one area of the heart to another. Opening and closing of these valves create the sounds of heartbeats.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Mitral Valve
– Definition, Features, Structure
2. What is a Tricuspid Valve
– Definition, Features, Structure
3. Similarities – Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Bicuspid Valve, Heart Valve, Left Atrioventricular Valve, Mitral Valve, Right Atrioventricular Valve, Tricuspid Valve
What is a Mitral Valve
A mitral valve is a small flip in the heart that is located between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. The mitral valve is also called the bicuspid valve or the left atrioventricular valve. This heart valve is a one-way valve that allows the blood to flow only in one direction. It got its name “atrioventricular valve” because it lies between the atrium and the ventricle. The mitral valve is responsible for ensuring that the blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle. It also ensures that blood does not flow backward between the two chambers.
The mitral valve is made of two thin tissue flaps that are strong. They are leaflets or cusps. These leaflets are attached to the papillary muscles at the bottom of the heart, which are located at the left ventricle, by very thin but strong chords called chordae tendineae. The zone of coaptation is located on the surface of the valve near the chordae tendineae. This is the area of the leaflets which touches when the valve is in a closed position. For the proper functioning of the valve, the length and depth of these touching surfaces are important. The mitral annulus is another part to which the leaflets are attached. The mitral annulus takes the shape of the letter D. It is a junction that connects the tissues of the left atrium to the tissue of the left ventricle.
Mitral Valve Dysfunction
When the mitral valve does not function, the pumping of the blood becomes more difficult. Some of the reasons for the mitral valve not functioning properly are age-related degradation, infection, and swelling in the heart muscle, such as endocarditis, congenital defects, disorders that cause problems with the connective tissue in your body, and damage to the valve surrounding the tissue.
What is a Tricuspid Valve
A tricuspid valve is a valve that has three cusps located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Another name for tricuspid valve is right atrioventricular valve. It is one of the four heart valves. It controls the blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. Moreover, it ensures the correct unidirectional flow of blood at the right time. The tricuspid valve also prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium.
When the right atrium gets filled with blood to a certain level, the tricuspid valves open up, and then the blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle. After blood gets filled to a certain level, the tricuspid valves close tightly, preventing the backflow of blood. The tricuspid valves are made of very thin but strong tissue flaps called leaflets or cusps. There are three such leaflets: anterior, posterior, and septal. Their naming happens according to their positions.
Tricuspid Valve Dysfunction
There are three main types of tricuspid valve illnesses. They are tricuspid regurgitation, tricuspid atresia, and tricuspid stenosis. Some of the factors that cause problems in tricuspid valves are recreational drug use, enlarged right ventricle, infections that cause swelling in the heart muscle such as endocarditis, cardiac tumor, radiation to the chest while treating cancers, and congenital defect problems at birth.
Similarities Between Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve
- The mitral valve and tricuspid valve are both valves that are located within the heart.
- Moreover, they are responsible for controlling the flow of blood between the different chambers of the heart.
- Both valves have leaflets that open and close to regulate blood flow.
- In addition, their proper function is essential for maintaining healthy circulation.
Difference Between Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve
Definition
A mitral valve is a small flip in the heart that is located between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart, while a tricuspid valve is a valve that has three cusps located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
Location
The mitral valve is located in between the left atrium and the left ventricle, whereas the tricuspid valve is located in between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
Number of Cusps
A mitral valve has two cusps, whereas a tricuspid valve has three cusps.
Pathway of Blood
The mitral valve controls the blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, whereas the tricuspid valve controls the blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
Conclusion
In brief, the heart has four valves, and the mitral valve and tricuspid valve are two of them. The mitral valve and tricuspid valves ensure the correct flow of blood at the correct time. The main difference between mitral valve and tricuspid valve is that the mitral valve has two cusps, whereas the tricuspid valve has three cusps.
Reference:
1. “Mitral valve problems.” NHS.
2. “Tricuspid Valve.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Mitral Valve” By Ecgtocardiology (talk) (Uploads) – Ecgtocardiology (talk) (Uploads), CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2011 Heart Valves” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site, Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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