The main difference between valves and septum is that valves prevent blood from flowing backward, whereas septum divides the heart into left and right halves.
Valves and septum are two structures that occur in the heart. They have different functions.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are valves
– Definition, Types, Function
2. What is Septum
– Definition, Types, Function
3. Similarities Between Valves and Septum
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Valves and Septum
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Septum, Valves
What are Valves
Valves are the structures of the heart that prevent the backflow of blood. Therefore, the main function of the heart’s valves is to determine the blood flow. The heart contains four chambers: two atria, the upper chambers, and two ventricles, the lower chambers. Valves separate atria from ventricles and ventricles from the blood vessels. The heart contains four valves. Their opening and closing occur according to the differential blood pressure on each side. The two types of heart valves are atrioventricular valves and semilunar valves.
Figure 1: Heart Valves
The two atrioventricular valves prevent the blood flow from the ventricles to the atria. Furthermore, there are two types of atrioventricular valves. They are the mitral valve and tricuspid valve. Another name for the mitral valve is the bicuspid valve. It occurs between the left atrium and left ventricle. Also another name for the tricuspid valve is the right atrioventricular valve. It occurs between the right atrium and right ventricle. Besides, there are two semilunar valves that prevent blood flow into the ventricles. The two types of semilunar valves are the pulmonary and aortic valves. The pulmonary valve occurs at the opening between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk. Whereas the aortic valve occurs between the opening of the left ventricle and the aorta.
What is Septum
Septum is a wall that divides the heart into the right and left sides. There are two types of septa in the heart. They are interatrial septum and interventricular septum. The interatrial septum is a thin, fibromuscular wall with a central-positioned depression called an oval fossa. It separates the two upper chambers, the right and left atria. At the same time, the interventricular septum separates the two lower chambers, the right and left ventricles. The interventricular septum orients obliquely to the right. It lies around 45 degrees to the sagittal plane. However, the interatrial valve lies at 65 degrees angle.
Figure 2: Interventricular Septum
Moreover, the interventricular septum has two distinct parts. They are the muscular part and the membranous part. Further, the atrioventricular bundle splits into left and right bundles within the interventricular septum. Therefore, it allows the transmission of electrical impulses from the AV node to the Purkinje fibers in the ventricle. Also, the interventricular septum contracts during systole.
Similarities Between Valves and Septum
- Valves and septum are two structures that occur in the heart.
- They are important for the functioning of the heart.
Difference Between Valves and Septum
Definition
Valves refer to a one-way valve that allows blood to flow in one direction through the heart chambers, while septum refers to a partition separating two chambers of the heart.
Function
Valves prevent blood from flowing backward, while the septum divides the heart into left and right halves.
Types
The heart has four valves: the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonary valve, while the two septa of the heart are the interatrial septum and interventricular septum.
Conclusion
In brief, valves and septum are two structures in the heart. Valves are the structures that prevent the backward blood flow in the heart. Also, the heart has four valves. They are the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves. In comparison, the septum is the heart’s structure that divides it into left and right halves. There are two types of septa in the heart. They are interatrial septum and interventricular septum. Therefore, the main difference between valves and septum is their function.
References:
- Heart valves, anatomy and function: Columbiadoctors – New York. ColumbiaDoctors. (2021, July 1). https://www.columbiadoctors.org/treatments-conditions/heart-valves-anatomy-and-function
- Danijel Tosovic. (2023, August 3). Interventricular septum. Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/interventricular-septum
Image Courtesy:
- “Heart diagram-en” By ZooFari – Own work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Blausen 0457 Heart SectionalAnatomy” By Blausen Medical Communications, Inc.- Own Work (CC-BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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