What are atrioventricular valves?
Atrioventricular valves are special heart valves that control the flow of blood through the heart and stop blood from flowing back the wrong way. They get their name because they work like little sails, opening and closing to act as valves between the different chambers of the heart.
Structure and location of the atrioventricular valves
The human heart has four heart valves in total, two of which are atrioventricular valves. The first, known as the mitral valve, sits between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The second, the tricuspid valve, lies between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Both are made up of thin but very tough flaps of tissue that are attached to fine tendon-like cords called the chordae tendineae. These cords make sure the valves do not bulge in the wrong direction when they close.
How the atrioventricular valves work in the circulation
The atrioventricular valves work like gatekeepers. They open as the ventricles fill with blood and close when the blood is pumped onwards. This means blood always flows in one direction only, from the atrium into the ventricle. As soon as the ventricles contract, they push the valves shut. This stops blood from flowing back into the atria. This one-way function is essential for smooth blood flow through the heart and keeps the circulation stable.
Why are atrioventricular valves important?
Without the precise work of the atrioventricular valves, the heart could not do its job. If they did not close properly, blood would flow backwards, which is medically known as valve regurgitation or valve insufficiency. Over time, this can reduce the heart's ability to function. When the atrioventricular valves are working normally, you do not notice them at all in daily life. They work quietly and reliably in the background.
Common terms related to atrioventricular valves
In medical practice, the terms mitral valve and tricuspid valve often come up when atrioventricular valves are being discussed. The mitral valve has two leaflets, while the tricuspid valve has three. Both belong to the group known as AV valves (atrioventricular valves), because they sit between the atria and the ventricles.
In contrast, there are also the semilunar valves in the heart, which sit between the ventricles and the large arteries. These work on a similar principle but are built differently.
When are atrioventricular valves mentioned in a medical report?
In letters from doctors, medical reports, or during ultrasound examinations of the heart (echocardiography), the term atrioventricular valves usually comes up when their condition is being assessed. For example, a report may describe whether the valves are closing fully, whether they are thickened or calcified, or whether they are moving normally. This is generally a routine part of any heart examination.
In summary
Atrioventricular valves are vital heart valves that sit like small sails between the atria and the ventricles. They make sure blood always flows in the right direction through the heart and prevent it from flowing backwards. Under normal circumstances they work unnoticed and reliably. It is only when their function is disrupted that symptoms can arise. In medical reports, their condition is routinely checked and recorded.
